Calls for the formal registration of the Orchid Sweater Workers Union in Bangladesh have garnered support from affiliates of the IndustriAll global union.
Workers at the Orchid Sweater factory have seen their attempts to formally register the union repeatedly denied by the Joint Director of Labour (JDL) since February of last year, says IndustriAll.
In November 2016, more workers were recruited into the union but, despite having all appropriate documents, IndustriAll claims the JDL again denied the union registration on what it called “unsubstantial grounds”.
The workers made a third attempt for registration in January. The JDL is expected to make a decision by Friday (24 March).
Meanwhile, according to the global union, when management became aware of the workers’ initiatives, it unleashed a series of harassment and termination threats.
“If any worker raises their concerns about wages, they are subjected to verbal abuse and terminated from work,” says knitting operator, Shafikul Islam. “To protest anti-worker attitude and to defend our rights we formed a union.”
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By GlobalDataChandon Kumar Dey of IndustriAll affiliate Bangladesh Independent Garment Workers Union Federation (BIGUF), says the BIGUF will continue to fight for the legitimate rights of workers, while Christina Hajagos-Clausen, IndustriAll garment and textile director, adds IndustriAll supports the worker’s right to form a union.
“It is unacceptable that these workers are repeatedly denied their right to freedom of association and collective bargaining,” she says. “The management must follow the law and engage in dialogue with the union.”
The Orchid Sweater Ltd factory currently employs around 2,250 workers.
