MSN Publications and Collaborative Work

Independent Mexican union wins vote at GM Silao

Feb 4, 2022 —

Unions and other worker rights organizations show their solidarity with
GM workers near the plant in Silao. Credit: Arturo Left and Ulises Vidal

The independent union SINTTIA has won a precedent-setting vote among four unions competing to represent over 6,000 workers at the GM Silao pickup truck factory in Guanajuato, Mexico in negotiations for a new collective bargaining agreement.

In the highly anticipated February 1-2 vote, 4,192 out of the 5,478 votes cast were for SINTTIA, 932 and 247 respectively for two unions linked to Mexico’s largest official union confederation, the CTM. A third union affiliated with Mexico’s second largest official union confederation, the CROC, only received 18 votes.

New union-employer agreement in Sri Lanka addresses key worker rights issues

Jan 6, 2022 —

On December 23, garment worker unions in Sri Lanka signed a ground-breaking agreement with the employer organization Joint Apparel Association Forum (JAAF) that addresses vitally important workplace issues for garment workers, especially during the pandemic.

In a joint statement, Clean Clothes Campaign, Labour behind the Label, Maquila Solidarity Network, Solidarity Center, War on Want, and Workers United welcome the important progress the union-employer agreement represents.

El Salvador’s proposed law poses threat to civil society organizations

Dec 21, 2021 —

Photo: Creative Commons

Human rights advocates are sounding the alarm on a proposed “Foreign Agents Law” in El Salvador that would severely limit the work of independent civil society organizations and media outlets. Due to international pressure, the Legislative Assembly has placed the approval of the law on hold for now in an attempt to reach a consensus with the international community. Nevertheless, considerable concern remains about future drafts of the bill.

Mexico’s CBA Legitimation Vote Results: September 2019-April 2021

Dec 17, 2021 —

To better understand and analyze the process for the legitimation of existing collective bargaining agreements (CBAs) required by Mexico’s labour justice reform, MSN compiled a database of all contract legitimation votes for the two-year period when the Secretariat of Labour and Social Welfare (STPS) was charged with overseeing the process. The research published by MSN also provides publicly available information that is not easily accessible on the government’s legitimation portal.

Myanmar Solidarity Campaign: Fight like a garment worker

Dec 2, 2021 —

The Clean Clothes Campaign, of which MSN is a member, is supporting the #fightlikeagarmentworker solidarity campaign for Myanmar’s garment workers, organised by #Sisters2Sisters and JASS Southeast Asia, in collaboration with Solidarity Trade Union of Myanmar (STUM). The aim is to mobilise global solidarity with garment workers in Myanmar and ensure their voices aren’t silenced or forgotten.

Brands sourcing from Bangladesh must sign on to the International Accord

Nov 10, 2021 —

Photo: Clean Clothes Campaign

Two months since the launch of the International Accord for Health and Safety in the Textile and Garment Industry, 150 garment and home textile brands have signed on to this life-saving agreement. Several of the most well-known brands in the world, however, have shown no intention of joining this agreement to help keep their workers safe.

Studies measure gap between wages and food costs for Central American garment workers

Oct 18, 2021 —

Photo: Garment workers in Honduras. Solidarity Center.

In September 2021, the El Salvador-based Labour Research Team (Equipo de Investigaciónes Laborales - EIL) published its annual report comparing the cost of basic food items with the monthly minimum wages for maquila workers in Central America’s four garment-producing countries - Guatemala, El Salvador, Honduras and Nicaragua.

Blanca Velázquez Díaz, a brilliant worker rights defender

Oct 14, 2021 —

Blanca attending a regional forum with Central American and
Mexican women’s organizations.

Blanca with colleagues from the Network of United Women’s Labour
Rights Defenders (Red DLUM) in October 2019.

Colectivo Raiz's tribute to Blanca.

On September 24, 2021, the MSN learned that our dear friend of twenty years, and internationally esteemed labour rights defender, Blanca Velázquez Díaz, had passed away from cancer. For 18 months, Blanca navigated this phase of her life with hope, determination and grace, accompanied by the love and solidarity of the labour rights community that she was instrumental in building in Mexico.

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.

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.

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