COVID-19 | Defending Workers’ Rights and Livelihoods in the Time of the Pandemic

Over 50 organizations call for safe workplaces in Bangladesh and Sri Lanka

Sep 30, 2021 —

A March 2021 action for workers rights in Sri Lanka.
Photo credit: Clean Clothes Campaign

The spread of the Delta variant in South Asia is causing a surge of severe illness and death in Sri Lanka and Bangladesh.

Due to the economic importance of the garment industry, the governments of both countries have excluded garment workers from lockdown measures by categorizing them as essential workers. Workers must report to work in crowded factories where the virus can spread easily or lose income they desperately need.

Industrias Florenzi: Disney owes workers in El Salvador $1.3 million

Sep 22, 2021 —

In El Salvador, workers at the Industrias Florenzi factory sewed Grey’s Anatomy scrubs for more than 15 years. At the start of the pandemic, the Salvadoran government ordered nonessential businesses to temporarily shut down operations and the Industrias Florenzi factory began laying off workers. In July 2020, Industrias Florenzi closed permanently. More than a year later, the workers are still waiting for the $1.3 million in unpaid wages and severance they’re owed under Salvadoran law.

Cambodia: Fashion brands fail to address pandemic-era wage theft

Sep 15, 2021 —

Photo Credit: Clean Clothes Campaign

Cambodian trade unions are calling on international brands to ensure that workers in the country’s garment, footwear, and leather industries are paid their full wages for the duration of the pandemic. Sudden changes in health measures and product orders resulted in wage theft for workers already living in precarious conditions.

Pages