GUF urges Jones Apparel to restore workers at supplier's plant
05 Jun '06
3 min read
The Global Union Federation representing workers in the industry has asked urged the Jones Apparel Group to intervene promptly to secure the reinstatement of a workers' representative who was unfairly dismissed from one of its suppliers in Madagascar in defiance of Labour Ministry rulings.
The ITGLWF has also asked Minister of Labour Maharavo Rodelys to take action to force the company to abide by its rulings.
Says ITGLWF General Secretary Neil Kearney in his letter: “Sabine Razafindranisa, known as Nisa, was dismissed from Cote Sud in September 2004 while on medical leave. Since her dismissal she has continued to fight for reinstatement.
After being elected workers' representative, she began vigorously to address the many abuses that were occurring at the plant. Workers who were ill or pregnant were routinely dismissed, and workers were denied permission to go to the doctor when they fill ill during working hours.
The company was violating legal provisions regarding the use of temporary employment contracts, thus cheating workers on wages. Piece rates were extremely low, overtime compulsory, and workers were regularly made to work through the night.
“Nisa's efforts in support of worker rights did not go down well with factory management, which started looking for excuses to take disciplinary measures against her.
“In early 2004, she was suspended for seven days and upon her return was demoted from supervisor to a position on the production line. She protested this unfair demotion and filed a complaint with the Ministry of Labour.
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