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Workers tortured for 'extortion'
In Karachi, twelve trade union activists were charged under the Anti-Terrorist Act in March 2012. This is believed to be a response to their union activities at their workplace at a subsidiary of Al Karam Textile Mills. Six of the unionists were arrested and tortured. In May 2012 they were released on bail.
Fire kills 286 – despite social responsibility certificate
In September 2012 Ali Enterprises factory in Karachi was devastated by a fire, resulting in the death of 286 trapped workers. The factory produced jeans and other apparel for German discounter KiK. Just a month before the fire, the factory had been certified as meeting international labour standards by Social Accountability International.
A long wait for Power Loom Mazdoor Union workers
In 2012 twelve garment workers and trade union activists of the Power Loom Mazdoor Union (PLMU) were charged with extortion and terrorism under the Pakistani Anti-Terrorist Act. Six of them were arrested and severely tortured. Although they have been released on bail, the trial against the twelve is still going on, with over 100 court hearings to date.
Fire victims not yet fully compensated
A total of 286 workers died and dozens were injured when a fire destroyed the Ali Enterprises factory in Karachi on September 11, 2012. Throughout 2013 the Clean Clothes Campaign has been putting pressure on the main buying company KiK to pay long-term compensation to the victims and the families of the deceased.
Thousands of workers left jobless
6,000 workers were left jobless after three factories in Sri Lanka and two in Pakistan were closed. The sole owner of the five factories disappeared with all of the company’s assets. In March 2013 the Clean Clothes Campaign reached out to several European buyers.
Over fifteen years of union-busting
For over fifteen years workers at a factory near Lahore, Pakistan, have been fighting union-busting practices by the factory management. Among the tactics employed are the firing of union officials, legal cases against the union and refusal to comply with court orders for a union referendum.
Factory appeals against workers' acquittal
Twelve garment workers who were charged with terrorism after setting up a trade union at a factory of Al Karam Textile Mills saw their acquittal by the Anti-Terrorism Court appealed against by factory management.
KiK still defaulting
A total of 254 workers died and dozens were injured in the fire that destroyed the Ali Enterprises factory in Karachi on September 11 2012. More than two years later, the families of the deceased and injured are yet to receive long-term compensation and justice.
Continued denial of right to unionise
Workers at a garment factory near Lahore are continuing their fifteen-year struggle against union-busting practices by the factory management.
Pakistan fire victims producing for German low-cost retailer KIK
The Clean Clothes Campaign today express their shock and outrage at the failure of German company KIK to ensure that workers in its supplier factories are employed in safe working conditions after it was confirmed that Ali Enterprises, which last week burnt down killing almost 300 people, was producing jeans for the low-cost retailer.
Urge KIK to identify buyers and pay compensation to Pakistan fire victims
On Tuesday 11th September almost 300 workers were killed when a fire ripped through the Ali Enterprises factory in Karachi, Pakistan. At the time of the fire the factory was producing jeans for the German low cost retailer, KIK, which has more than 3000 stores in eight European countries.
KIK signs compensation agreement for victims of Ali Enterprises fire tragedy
AMSTERDAM - German discount giant KIK this week signed an agreement with the Pakistan Institute of Labour Education and Research (PILER) to make an initial payment to the victims and their families of US$ 1 million for immediate relief, and to negotiate a long term compensation package with all other involved stakeholders.
Still awaiting compensation in Pakistan: one year after Ali Enterprises burnt down
Tomorrow German cost-cutter KiK discusses compensation for the victims of the collapse at Rana Plaza during the meeting in Geneva. Meanwhile, survivors of the fire at the Ali Enterprises garment factory in Karachi, Pakistan, still await full, long-term and fair compensation. German retailer KiK remains the only known buyer of Ali Enterprises garments.
Victory for 12 workers and trade unionists in Pakistan
Twelve garment workers and trade union activists of the Power Loom Mazdoor Union in Pakistan were finally acquitted on August 29, 2014 after a trial that had dragged on for more than two years.
Two years after fatal fire - KIK still has to pay up
September 11th marks two years since the fatal fire that killed 254 garment workers at a factory in Karachi, Pakistan. German retailer KIK were the only confirmed buyer from the factory, and yet today the victims families are still waiting for the retailer to pay full and fair compensation.
German retailer KiK must pay promised compensation to Pakistani factory fire victims
Geneva, 9 September 2015: On the third anniversary of Pakistan’s worst-ever industrial disaster, global unions IndustriALL and UNI, together with the Clean Clothes Campaign, are calling on a major German retailer to honour its promise to provide long-term compensation to victims.
Landmark compensation arrangement reached on 4th anniversary of deadly Pakistan factory fire
After four years of campaigning and months of negotiations, an agreement has been reached to pay compensation in excess of US$5 million to the survivors and families of workers killed in Pakistan’s worst industrial accident.
Compensation arrangement agreed for victims of the Ali Enterprise factory fire in Pakistan
An agreement in excess of US$5 million has been reached to provide compensation for loss of income, medical and allied care as well as rehabilitation, to the victims of one of the worst industrial accidents in Pakistan. It results from the ILO facilitation and coordination of consultations during a recent mission to Pakistan from 25 July to 5 August.
Families affected by 2012 Ali Enterprises fire finally receive life-long pensions
As of yesterday, Saturday 19 May, survivors and families that lost loved ones at the Ali Enterprises fire of 2012 will receive pensions out of a fund financed by the factory’s main buyer, German retailer KiK. The process was lengthy – the families had to wait for more than six years -, but the outcome is ground-breaking. In a global precedent for the garment industry, the families will receive life-long pensions matching international standards as set by the International Labour Organisation (ILO).
Week of Justice asks attention for accountability after deadly Pakistani garment factory fire
In an international week of events focusing on the deadly Ali Enterprises factory fire of 2012 a group of labour and human rights organizations tries to answer the question: if workers die stitching our clothes, who should be held responsible?
New safety initiative launched in India today ignores vital lessons from the past
A building safety initiative launching in India today, aimed at improving safety for workers in the country’s garment industry, is set on a path to ignore workers’ voices and replicate mistakes from the past. Although the “Life and Building Safety Initiative” professes to learn from the programme that made factories safe in Bangladesh after the Rana Plaza building collapse, it ignores its most vital elements.
Seven years after deadly fire, garment workers in Pakistan still need a worker-led factory safety programme
Seven years since the Ali Enterprises factory fire of 2012, in which over 250 workers were killed, textile and garment factories in Pakistan remain as unsafe as they were then, warns a report launched today.
Verdict Ali Enterprise factory fire ignores systemic safety failures
Eight years after more than 250 people died in Ali Enterprise garment factory fire in Pakistan, the court verdict ignores systemic failures in the garment industry. On Sept 22, an antiterrorism court in Karachi sentenced two ex-Muttahida Qaumi Movement workers to death in the Baldia factory arson case while the factory’s four gatekeepers were sentenced to life term. The factory owners walked out without a sentence. German retailer Kik was the main buyer at the time when the fire broke out.
Announcement: 9th anniversary of Ali Enterprises factory fire: the new International Accord and Pakistan
Clean Clothes Campaign is inviting journalists to a media briefing on 9 September, ahead of the ninth anniversary of the deadly Ali Enterprises factory fire, which killed over 250 workers in Pakistan. The briefing will focus on the opportunity to expand upon the safety work of the Accord to bring life-saving changes to workplace safety in Pakistan in light of the newly concluded International Accord for Health and Safety in the Garment and Textile Industry, and the failure of private social auditing systems.
On eve of deadly factory fire anniversary, Pakistani labour activists urge action for worker safety
On the occasion of the ninth anniversary of the Ali Enterprises factory fire in Karachi, labour leaders in Pakistan call upon apparel and textile brands to ensure that factories in their country are made safe. With the start of the International Accord for Health and Safety in the Garment and Textile Industry last week, there is now a concrete avenue to address factory safety in the country. Labour leaders stress the urgency of swiftly expanding the Accord programme to Pakistan.