Tuesday 22 May 2012
May
22
The region’s first Freedom of Association Protocol is showing promising signs for factory workers in Indonesia, several Indonesian union leaders report.
Adopted in June last year, the Freedom of Association Protocol was the product of an 18-month negotiation process between Indonesian unions, factory management and international brands, including Nike and Adidas. The protocol has now been signed by 6 major sportswear brands, together with a number of manufacturers and leading Indonesian unions.
Thursday 23 February 2012
Feb
23
Olympic and Paralympic Merchandise is big business. The organisers of the
2012 Games estimate that the iconic London 2012 mascots Wenlock and
Mandeville will boost total sales of Olympic key rings, soft toys, stickers,
badges, backpacks and limited-edition playing cards to £1bn. This is good
news for London and the Olympics, but there is a hidden cost being paid by
the Chinese workers employed to make these goods. As athletes put in long
hours of training and battle it out to beat world records in their respective
sports, workers around the world are forced into a race to the bottom on
wages and conditions. But no medals will be awarded for their long hours,
and record breaking efforts to meet production targets on time. ‘Toying with
Workers’ Rights’ has confirmed yet again that as the demand for consumer
merchandise mounts in the build up to the Olympics, workers must work
excessively long hours of overtime, for very little pay, in often dangerous
and exhausting working environments, with employers showing little
regard for internationally recognised labour standards or national laws.
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