More Updates

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.

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.

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.

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