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Repression of Workers Continues Under Bangladesh's Military-Backed Government
Since January 2007 the Bangladesh government has banned political and trade union activities and given itself "state of emergency" powers which severely limit civil rights. Labour rights activists and workers have been arrested, put under surveillance, interrogated or detained.
Bangladesh Labour Organisation Harassed by Government
On June 16 2010, a staff member of the Bangladesh Center for Workers Solidarity (BCWS) was detained and severely beaten by Bangladeshi security forces. This occurred just two weeks after BCWS was arbitrarily stripped of its legal status as an NGO. Take action today to support BCWS staff.
Bangladesh labour leaders fearing for physical safety
UPDATE: Recently we informed you about the intimidation and harassment of the Bangladesh Center for Worker Solidarity. On July 30 2010, more criminal cases were filed against the BCWS staff and other worker leaders. On the night of August 12 2010, 20 police officers arrested Kalpona Akter and Babul Akhter. They are still being held in detention. Your urgent support is needed to stop the crackdown on the labour rights organisations.
Bangladesh Labour Activists Released
The Clean Clothes Campaign is very pleased to announce the release of Kalpona Akter, Babul Akhter and Aminul Islam after spending 30 days in custody. During a special hearing on Wednesday September 8, 2010, a magistrate judge granted bail to the three defendants, and ordered their release.
Trial against Bangladeshi labour rights advocates approaches
Just recently a judge in the case against Kalpona Akter and Babul Akhter from the Bangladesh Workers Solidarity Center (BCWS) and other labour leaders decided that the accused will have to appear in court next month under a system designed to speed up the trial process.
Brands must speak out about violations in Cambodia
Labour rights organizations are deeply concerned about the closing of democratic and civil society space in Cambodia. This trend has recently escalated with alarming high-profile incidents of repression against political leaders, non-governmental organizations, and independent media. Clean Clothes Campaign, Worker Rights Consortium, and International Labor Rights Forum are calling on multinational apparel companies sourcing from Cambodia to take a stand against this repression, and to urge the Cambodian government to respect human rights and labour rights.
Clean Clothes Campaign calls for immediate release of Bangladesh trade unionists held on false charges
The Clean Clothes Campaign is calling for the immediate release of seven trade union leaders from the Garment Workers Trade Union Centre in Bangladesh, detained last week on the basis of apparently false charges filed against them by the Bangladesh Garment Manufacturers and Exporters Association.
Repression of worker protests in Bangladesh shows the government’s lack of respect for essential freedoms
Thousands of workers in Bangladesh have taken the streets in protest since the recent implementation of the wage revision in the garment sector. When police in Dhaka started firing rubber bullets and tear gas into the crowd, one worker was killed and many others were injured.
A year after crackdown on wage protests in Bangladesh, hundreds of workers still face retaliatory charges
A year ago, tens of thousands of workers in Bangladesh went on strike against the poverty wages that are pervasive in the country’s export-oriented garment industry. On 13 January 2019, a minimal wage revision was announced that, together with massive repression, led workers to end the demonstrations that had been going on since December. Thousands of workers were unable to go back to work, however, facing punishment for their peaceful protest through politically-motivated dismissals, blacklisting, and criminal charges. Public pressure has in the past weeks and months led to withdrawal of at least eight criminal cases. Nevertheless, one year on, hundreds of workers continue to face the threat of serving time in prison for trumped-up and retaliatory charges.
Reality check for the Bangladesh garment industry: what needs to be addressed?
Employers, multi-stakeholder initiatives, and academics will be discussing the Bangladesh apparel industry in the European Parliament today. All stakeholders in the industry will have a chance to speak, except for the workers who form the backbone of the industry. Requests to have a worker representative as one of the speakers on today’s panel have been turned down. Clean Clothes Campaign believes a reality check on the situation of the garment industry in Bangladesh is direly needed, and would like to highlight issues that might be left out in absence of worker voices.
Remembering the Rana Plaza workers by continuing the fight for workers’ rights during the pandemic
Seven years ago today at least 1,134 workers died in the garment industry’s deadliest factory incident in history. Today, we remember the workers who died in the Rana Plaza collapse, sending our thoughts to those affected by this tragedy. While we commemorate this crisis, workers’ lives are again at risk.
One year since trade unionist’s murder, brands fail to take responsibility
Exactly one year ago, on 25 June 2023, trade union activist Shahidul Islam, was attacked and killed in front of the Prince Jacquard Sweater Ltd factory in Bangladesh. Despite repeated outreach by the Clean Clothes Campaign network to the garment brands identified as sourcing at the factory, the family has received almost no compensation from brands. Today, we commemorate Shahidul Islam’s life and activism and urge all involved brands to take responsibility and all brands sourcing from Bangladesh to take meaningful measures to ensure workers’ right to organise.
CCC statement in support of Sri Lanka unions fighting repression
In recent months, the Sri Lankan government increased its repression amidst an economic and political crisis, sending in the army on workers protesting peacefully. Today our partners Free Trade Zones & General Services Employees Union together with the National Labour Advisory Council Trade union Collective are holding a members rally at the Public Library in Sri Lanka’s capital, Colombo. CCC, Labour Behind The Label, Maquila Solidarity Network, Workers United and War on Want support the unions, who condemn the government’s disregard for the voice of trade unions and demand the Labour Ministry calls for an immediate meeting of the National Labour Advisory Council.
