Freedom of Association

Brands and civil society groups raise concerns over changes to Cambodia’s trade union law

Jan 25, 2020 —

Two separate joint letters have been sent by international civil society organizations and global apparel and footwear brands to Cambodian Prime Minister, Samdech Hun Sen, expressing their concerns regarding recent amendments to the country’s Law on Trade Unions, which were approved by the Cambodian Senate in early December 2019.

The first letter, dated December 18, 2019, was co-signed by 36 Cambodian and international civil society organizations, including MSN, and the second by 23 global brands and multi-stakeholder organizations with an interest in Cambodia.

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STAR union reaches settlement with Gildan, but job commitments lacking

Dec 18, 2019 —

Five months after Montreal-based clothing manufacturer Gildan Activewear’s surprise announcement that it was closing its STAR factory in El Progreso, Honduras, the SITRASTAR union and Gildan have finally reached an agreement on compensation and other issues.

Six Cambodian union leaders unjustly sentenced in a trial riddled with irregularities

On December 11, 2018, six prominent Cambodian union leaders were found guilty of instigating violent protests in December 2013 and January 2014 and ordered to pay a collective fine of approximately US$8,600. The sentence comes just two months after Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen, under increasing international pressure, publicly urged labour and justice ministers to finalize all court cases against union leaders, a call originally lauded by union leaders.

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Workers subjected to violence, death threats and firings win reinstatement

Jul 25, 2018 —

Photo: WRC

Fifteen workers who were subjected to beatings, death threats and firings for attempting to form a union at a Shahi Exports garment factory in Bangalore, India have won reinstatement and an apology from their employer.

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Attacks on Bangladeshi unions intensify in aftermath of wage protests (January 2017)

Jan 4, 2017 —

Since December 21, 2016, in the aftermath of a week of unrest by thousands of Bangladeshi garment workers striking for higher wages, the Bangladeshi authorities have arrested or detained at least 14 union leaders and worker rights advocates, and 11 currently remain in police custody.

Free the Tipitapa 12: Nicaraguan workers prosecuted for taking part in peaceful protest (December 2016)

Dec 19, 2016 —

Photo: Industriall

Twelve workers will have to serve more time under house arrest for taking part in a peaceful protest against the dismissal of their union representatives and unjust working conditions.

Report: Beyond voluntary codes and audits - a challenge for the Electronics Industry (July 2016)

Jul 19, 2016 —

The Jesuit-affiliated Centre for Reflection and Action on Labour Issues (CEREAL) has just released its seventh annual report on working conditions in the Mexican electronics industry.

MSN condemns assassination of Guatemalan union leader (July 2016)

Jul 8, 2016 —

Photo: Iniciativa Mesoamericana de Mujeres Defensoras de Derechos Humanos/Solidarity Center

The Maquila Solidarity Network joins labour, human rights, women’s organizations in Guatemala and internationally in strongly condemning the murder of Guatemalan labour leader Brenda Marleni Estrada Tambito, and calls on the Guatemalan government to launch an immediate, thorough and impartial investigation into her assassination, bring those responsible to justice, and take appropriate measures to ensure the safety of members of her family.

Fired Lexmark workers in Ciudad Juarez reach settlement (April 2016)

Apr 12, 2016 —

©2016 Keith Dannemiller

On April 10, 56 workers who for over five months had been camped outside the Lexmark factory in Ciudad Juarez, Mexico after being unjustly fired, ended their protest after reaching a settlement with their former employer.

Cambodian government passes anti-union legislation (April 2016)

Apr 12, 2016 —

Despite strong opposition from national unions and international labour rights organizations, on April 4 the Cambodian parliament approved a controversial new trade union law that greatly restricts workers’ right to freedom of association and collective bargaining and the right to strike.

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