MSN Publications and Collaborative Work

On eve of anniversary of deadly factory fire, Pakistani labour activists urge action for worker safety

Sep 9, 2021 —

Photo credit: Clean Clothes Campaign

On the ninth anniversary of the Ali Enterprises factory fire in Karachi, labour leaders in Pakistan call upon apparel and textile brands to ensure that factories in their country are made safe. With the start of the International Accord for Health and Safety in the Garment and Textile Industry last week, there is now a concrete avenue to address factory safety in the country. Labour leaders stress the urgency of swiftly expanding the Accord program to Pakistan.

NGO signatories to Bangladesh Accord welcome new binding worker safety agreement

Aug 25, 2021 —

Photo: Clean Clothes Campaign

Today, apparel brands and labour unions announced agreement on a new International Accord for Health and Safety in the Textile and Garment Industry, thereby preserving, extending, and expanding the model pioneered by the Bangladesh Accord for protecting worker safety.

GM Silao workers reject protection contract

Aug 24, 2021 —

Legitimation vote at GM assembly plant in Silao.
(Photo: Secretaría del Trabajo y Previsión Social - Mexico)

In a precedent-setting test of Mexico’s labour justice reform, workers at the General Motors (GM) truck assembly plant in Silao, Guanajuato have voted to reject a protection contract between their employer and the Miguel Trujillo López union, an affiliate of the Confederation of Mexican Workers (CTM).

Witness signatories welcome extension of Accord; call on brands to sign new agreement

Jun 1, 2021 —

A relative holds a picture of a missing garment worker who was working in the Rana Plaza building when it collapsed (Photo: Clean Clothes Campaign)

In a joint statement, the witness signatories to the Accord on Fire and Building Safety in Bangladesh welcome the agreement between brands and unions to extend the life of the Accord for three additional months but reiterate their call on signatory brands to sign a new a new legally-binding safety agreement. The transition accord was scheduled to expire on May 31.

Eight years after Rana Plaza new international Accord urgently needed

Apr 22, 2021 —

2013 Rana Plaza building collapse missing persons board

April 24 marks the eighth anniversary of the Rana Plaza disaster in which 1,134 workers were killed and 2,500 injured when a garment factory building collapsed. Today MSN is joining with Bangladeshi, international and Canadian allies in calling for a renewed commitment to worker safety in Bangladesh and other garment-producing countries.

Sri Lankan garment workers struggle during pandemic, brands and manufacturers continue to profit

Mar 26, 2021 —

Photo caption: Garment workers in Sri Lanka protesting for full payment of wages and bonuses and respect for union rights during the #PayYourWorkers week of action, March 2021 - FTZ & GSEU.

On March 24, seven international trade union and labour rights organizations, including MSN, published an 18-page brief on the situation of the Sri Lankan garment industry during the pandemic. The report describes how apparel brands, retailers, and manufacturers have continued to take in huge profits while cutting costs at the expense of workers' health, employment security, and income.

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