May 20, 2011 /PRNewswire/ --
- Companies Have Taken Steps, But Exploitation Remains Widespread
Big garment brands and retailers have their products made under exploitative and unhealthy conditions by girls in Tamil Nadu,South India. The girls, mostly younger than 18 and from a Dalit ('outcaste') background are employed under the Sumangali Scheme. In its worst form, this employment scheme stands for bonded labour, as described in 'Captured by Cotton', a report published today by the Centre for Research on Multinational Corporation (SOMO) and the India Committee of the Netherlands(ICN). The report features case studies of four large manufacturers. These enterprises produce for Bestseller (e.g. Only, Jack & Jones), C&A, GAP, Diesel, Inditex (e.g. Zara), Marks & Spencer, Primark, Tommy Hilfiger, and many other European and US garment companies. A number of companies have undertaken steps towards the elimination of the Sumangali Scheme, but abusive labour practices remain widespread.
Sumangali girls
The Sumangali girls are recruited with the promise of a decent wage, comfortable accommodation, and, the biggest attraction, a considerable sum of money upon completion of their three-year contract. This lump sum, varying between 400 and 800 euros, may be used to pay for a dowry. The reality stands in sharp contrast to the alluring promises: wages below the legally set minimum, excessive overwork , non-payment of overtime work, restricted freedom of movement, lack of privacy, no possibility to lodge complaints or get redress, unhealthy and unsafe working conditions, etc. This situation fits the definition of 'worst forms of child labour' as laid down by the International Labour Organisation (ILO) for children up to 18 years old. This is a clear breach of international labour standards and Indian labour law.
The promised sum is not a bonus, but is made up of withheld wages. In a number of documented cases girls have not received the lump sum they were entitled to, despite having completed the contractual three year period.
The girls' freedom of action is severely restricted with guards keeping a constant eye on them. They are compulsory accommodated in basic dormitories, often within the compound of the factory. This also means workers hardly have a chance to get in touch with trade unions or advocacy groups.
SOMO and ICN have shared drafts of the report with the companies that are named in the report. Several companies have responded with detailed feedback that has been processed in the final version of the report.
Note for the press
More information about the research can be found at the SOMO website: http://somo.nl/news-en/exploited-dalit-girls-produce-garments-in-india-for- european-and-us-markets/
(Due to the length of this URL, it may be necessary to copy and paste this hyperlink into your Internet browser's URL address field. Remove the space if one exists.)
Download: Captured by Cotton:
I’m surprised to see the arguments of SOMA on the way the workers spend their money.
ReplyDeleteIts the earning of the workers & they can spend
it on their own. They can buy clothes, land or they can give to their family.
Thats all dependent on the wish of the worker. What the factory can do on that?
Dowry is prohibited as per Indian Law. If SOMA
found dowry is still existing, what the factory can do on that?
It has to be taken to the Government. Not with the factory.
Factory can’t be held responsible for the dowry or the girls marriage.
What you require from the factory? That only he should ask them. Like
1) Minimum wages should be paid
2) No child labour
3) Labour Laws of the Naation where the factory is
existing is met.
4) What else is required…
I had a discussion with a social worker in Tirupur and he told me the shocking news.
Also it is very cruel by the SOMO that it is trying to create a Caste / religion issue in the textile field. Daliths were doing only low level jobs including cleaning toilets. Now the textile industry is giving them equal opportunities along with all other caste workers and giving same wages. By this way their symbol of low rated jobs are now getting started abolished. Atleast this will reduce the symbol in atleast 2 decades. There is NO difference in the treatement of those dalith workers in textile field at all. But this SOMO / ICN creating unwanted problems & the clients starting to reduce orders. By this way the factories are going to have very less or NO orders and they have no other go except shutting down the factories. This will end up with lot of unemployment issue & the consequences will be terrible.
The negative mentality of the SOMO will lead to creating huge unemployment.
AlexVillipin - Holland
I'm a school teacher for mathematics and also a social worker. I have evaluated the full report by SOMO & found the below inaccurices.
ReplyDelete1) The author mentioned the paid wage as 60 Rupees = 0.88 Euro ( He took Euro @ 68) (Page no.: 12. para 3. Line 4)
Next line he mentioned to be paid wage is Rupees 1,85,000 = Euro 2900. (He took Euro @ 63) !!
This shows the author's intention was to blame on the factories than bring out the realities. He used wrong value in same para!!
2) Also he mentioned Minimum wage per day is rupees 171 X 30 days = 5,130 per month.
But if the worker works 26 days 171 X 26 days = 4,446 per month
So do the want the workers to work 7 days a week?!!
I feel the report is made to create wrong publicity & doesnot have intrest on the workers.
I'm Johny from Swiss
ReplyDeleteIts too funny that the dutch guys spending money & efforts on the factories where they produce food & shelter for their living.
In Amsterdam Drugs (Only for holland passport holders) & prostitution is allowed. Such a worst country in the EU is Dutch.
This creates lot of crimes & spoils the living standards of the people & the value of the country.
In Holland 10% of population is below the poverty line & starving for food. They do more crimes for their living.
Why do SOMO/ICN NOT taking steps to rectify the shit on their face than complaining India?
Links for the above facts.: http://www.amsterdam.info/drugs/
http://www.amsterdam.info/prostitution/
http://www.indexmundi.com/netherlands/population_below_poverty_line.html
http://www.expatica.com/nl/essentials_moving_to/essentials/Crime-and-the-legal-system-in-the-Netherlands_15691.html
To find more on the SOMO / ICN fake report, visit : http://www.alexvillipin.blogspot.com/