Ne laissez pas bâillonner la liberté d`expression et la

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Communiqué de presse de la Campagne Vêtements Propres
Embargo lundi 17 décembre 2007 à 11h00
Mandats d’arrêt internationaux à l’encontre de la Campagne Vêtements Propres
Ne laissez pas bâillonner la liberté d’expression et la liberté d’association.
Journée d’action internationale – 17 décembre 2007
Critiquée pour les conditions de travail dans ses usines de Bangalore (Inde), Fibre and Fabrics
International, une entreprise indienne fournissant des marques européennes, veut faire imposer le
silence plutôt que de respecter les droits des travailleurs.
Elle a déposé plainte1 contre des collaborateurs de la
Campagne Vêtements Propres internationale2. « Notre
« crime » est d’avoir publié des témoignages de
travailleurs sur notre site internet, rendant ainsi cette
information publiquement accessible en Inde, et d’avoir
diffuser cette information auprès des clients de l’usine et
des médias, explique Ineke Zeldenrust, coaccusée avec
six autres militants néerlandais. » La cour de justice de
Bangalore a ordonné le 1er décembre un mandat d’arrêt
international à leur encontre.
Les témoignages et rapports3 diffusés par la Campagne
Vêtements Propres font état de sévères maltraitances
physiques et psychiques de la part des surveillants, de
violations des consignes de sécurité, d’heures
supplémentaires obligatoires et non rémunérées et
d’absence de contrats de travail. Ils ont été établis par
des syndicats et d’autres organisations indiennes4
également poursuivis par FFI et qui, en attente du procès,
ne peuvent plus s’exprimer sur l’affaire ni rencontrer les travailleurs de l’usine.
La Campagne Vêtements Propres et les organisations qui participent à cette action dénoncent le recours à
ces pratiques d’intimidation qui mettent en péril les libertés d’association et d’expression. Elles invitent les
entreprises à en retenir que ce comportement qui consiste à faire taire toute critique, rend impossible la
mise en œuvre crédible de politiques de responsabilité sociale.
Lundi 17 décembre 2007 – Journée d’action internationale*
Ce lundi 17 décembre, des organisations de défense des droits de l’Homme et des travailleurs mèneront des
actions dans 11 pays5, sur trois continents ! Ensemble, elles interpellent G-Star, entreprise néerlandaise de
Jeans, le plus important et dernier client de FFI et de sa filiale Jeans Knit Pvt.Ltd (JKPL). G-Star dispose d’un
code de conduite6 par lequel il s’engage à veiller au traitement équitable des travailleurs de ses fournisseurs.
Se joignant finalement aux autres clients de l’usine, G-Star a annoncé le 6 décembre dernier qu’il mettait fin
à sa relation commerciale avec FFI/JKPL. Il lui incombe maintenant de respecter son code de conduite en
1
2
3
4
5
6
Pour actes diffamatoires, xénophobes et crime cybernétique, devant un tribunal de Bangalore (Inde du Sud)
Les organisations concernées sont la Clean Clothes Campaign (secrétariat international et campagne néerlandaise), le
Comité Inde des Pays-Bas, et leurs pourvoyeurs de services internet, Antenna et Xs4ll
http://www.vetementspropres.be./doc/gatw_report1.pdf et
http://www.vetementspropres.be./doc/Fact_Finding_Report-FFI2.pdf
Les syndicats GATWU et NTUI, les organisations Cividep et Munnade ainsi que la CCC Task Force Tamil Nadu
Allemagne, Australie, Belgique, Danemark, Espagne, Etats-Unis, France, Grande Bretagne, Pays-Bas, Roumanie, Suède,
http://www.g-star.com/flash/content.html
mettant en œuvre une stratégie de retrait responsable qui donne priorité absolue au maintien de l’emploi
pour les actuels travailleurs de FFI.
Sur son site internet7, la Campagne Vêtements Propres invite chacun à se joindre à cette interpellation en
demandant à G-Star :
de privilégier le choix de nouveaux fournisseurs en fonction de leur proximité avec les actuels lieux de
production, du respect de la liberté d’association en leur sein et au recrutement prioritaire des
travailleurs de FFI qui se retrouveraient sans emploi ;
de conditionner toute nouvelle commande auprès de FFI au respect de la liberté d’association et à
l’ouverture d’un dialogue franc avec les organisations locales concernées.
Le respect des droits des travailleurs : une barrière au libre commerce !
C’est ce qu’affirmait, en défendant FFI, le Ministre indien du commerce face à une délégation du
gouvernement néerlandais lors d’une visite officielle en Inde en octobre dernier. Une déclaration qui tombe
en pleine négociation d’un nouvel accord commercial entre l’Union Européenne et l’Inde. L’Union
européenne parlera-t-elle d’une autre voix ?
C’est l’occasion pour elle de réaffirmer son
engagement au respect des droits humains et
aux droits fondamentaux des travailleurs en
faisant de ces droits des conditions
incontournables pour un libre commerce. La
Campagne Vêtements Propres ne manquera pas
d’interpeller le Commissaire européen au
commerce, Mr Mandelson, à ce propos.
Solidaires des accusés
Les organisations qui participent à l’action en
Belgique veulent aussi se montrer solidaires
avec les accusés de l’affaire FFI en diffusant à
leur tour l’information incriminée. Elles
veulent ainsi inviter FFI au dialogue avec
Ineke Zeldenrust, Christa De Bruin et Esther De Haan,
toutes les organisations représentatives de ses
trois coaccusées dans l’affaire FFI .
travailleurs et à retirer les plaintes déposées à
l’encontre des organisations locales et des organisations internationales. Elles demandent au gouvernement
belge de refuser de donner suite au mandat d’arrêt international à l’encontre des sept militants néerlandais
s’il est rendu exécutoire.
Participent à l’action en Belgique :
CNCD-11.11.11., CNE, CSC-ACV, Etudiants FGTB, FGTB-ABVV, FIDH, Indymedia, Jeunes CSC , KWB, LBC,
NCOS-11.11.11, Oxfam Magasins du monde, Oxfam Solidarité, Peuples Solidaires, SETCA-BBTK, Solidarité
Mondiale-Wereldsolidariteit, Uilekot
Dossier de presse et illustrations : Carole Crabbé, Campagne Vêtements Propres, tél 010 45 75 27 –
GSM 0498 77 23 13 - [email protected] – www.vetementspropres.be
Ci-joint :
- Appuis internationaux
- Historique et chronologie
- Lettres à G-Star et FFI
7
www.vetementspropres.be
Appuis Internationaux
Amnesty International, dans sa prise de position du 2 octobre 2007, soutient la Clean Clothes
Campaign et condamne vivement l’entrave à la liberté d‘expression. www.cleanclothes.org/news/0710-02.htm
La Confédération Syndicale Internationale (CSI) a publié un communiqué de presse le 9 novembre
2007 critiquant les tentatives du gouvernement indien et du tribunal de Bangalore de passer sous
silence des violations graves des droits des travailleurs par l’entreprise FFI. http://www.ituccsi.org/spip.php?article1566
La FIDH et l’Observatoire pour la protection des défenseurs des droits de l’Homme ont fait part
de leur préoccupation vis-à-vis de ce cas qui reflète la situation alarmante des droits humains en Inde
dans un contexte où le judiciaire semble vouloir favoriser les entreprises transnationales aux dépens
des droits humains. L’Observatoire a lancé un appel urgent adressé au gouvernement indien.
http://www.fidh.org/spip.php?article4860
Le président de la Fair Labour association (USA) a dénoncé l’atteinte à la liberté d’expression et
l’impact sur la mise en œuvre de la responsabilité sociale des entreprises :
http://www.fairlabor.org/news/press_statements
Le Groupe socialiste du Parlement européen - Richard Howitt (GB) en tant que rapporteur du
Parlement européen sur le Commerce et les Droits de l’Homme a mis en évidence que cette situation
viole l’Article 19 de la Convention Internationale sur les Droits civils et politiques dont l’Inde est
signataire. Il a demandé au Conseil et à la Commission d’enquêter à ce propos et appeler les
gouvernements des Etats membres à ne pas donner suite au mandat d’arrêt international.
Historique
(plus de détails dans le chronologie – en anglais, ci-jointe)
Fin 2005, les organisations indiennes Munnade, Cividep et les syndicats GATWU et NTUI ont dénoncé dans un
rapport des violations des droits des travailleurs dans des installations de FFI/JKPL, parmi lesquelles une
charge de travail élevée, des heures supplémentaires forcées, des violences physiques et psychologiques, le
non-paiement des heures supplémentaires, et la non-délivrance de cartes d’identité et de contrats.
Suite à ce rapport, l’entreprise a pris des mesures pour lutter contre plusieurs violations graves dont des
violences physiques et le non-paiement des heures supplémentaires. Ces initiatives sont mentionnées dans un
second rapport rédigé par des organisations locales. Toutefois, des changements systématiques sont encore
nécessaires.
L’entreprise a entrepris parallèlement d’intimider les organisations locales en menaçant certains membres de
leur personnel, en surveillant leurs réunions, en filant leurs membres et en intentant des procès contre elles ;
il s’agit, pour les organisations et les travailleurs de FFI/JKPL, d’un signal clair indiquant que l’entreprise est
disposée à harceler et à intimider toute organisation et tout syndicat qui tentent de soutenir les travailleurs à
réprimer les travailleurs qui voudraient s’exprimer librement.
Depuis juillet 2006, le Syndicat des travailleurs de l’industrie textile et de la confection (GATWU), le Nouveau
syndicat indien (NTUI), l’Initiative civile pour la paix et le développement (CIVIDEP), le Front des
travailleuses de l’industrie textile (Munnade) et la Clean Clothes Campaign Task Force du Tamil Nadu font
l’objet d’une ordonnance du tribunal leur interdisant de diffuser des informations en Inde et à l’étranger sur
les conditions de travail des fournisseurs internationaux de Jeans Fibres and Fabrics International et de sa
filiale, Jeans Knit Pvt Ltd (FFI/JKPL).
Par cette ordonnance du tribunal, les organisations de soutien des travailleurs sont efficacement empêchées
de soutenir les travailleurs tandis que les syndicats, GATWU et NTUI, n’ont pas le droit d’organiser ni de
représenter les travailleurs. Cette ordonnance a été prolongée en février 2007. Les organisations impliquées
ont saisi la Haute Cour pour contester l’affaire.
Entretemps, dès le mois de mai 2006, la Clean Clothes Campaign (CCC) et l’India Committee of The
Netherlands (ICN) ont lancé une campagne publique en vue de soutenir les travailleurs de FFI/JKPL et les
organisations locales de défense des droits des travailleurs dans leurs efforts pour améliorer les conditions de
travail et les relations sociales chez FFI et JKPL. La CCC et ICN ont mené une campagne active vis-à-vis de
FFI/JKPL afin que l’entreprise entame un dialogue constructif avec les syndicats GATWU/NTUI et les
organisations de soutien aux travailleurs Munnade et CIVIDEP, dans le but de résoudre les problèmes en cours.
Suite à leurs efforts pour attirer l’attention sur les violations des droits des travailleurs commises chez
FFI/JKPL, la CCC et ICN, ainsi que sept membres de leur personnel ont été cités à comparaître devant le
tribunal du Bangalore le 25 juin 2007. Les organisations néerlandaises sont accusées de ‘délit cybernétique’,
‘d’actes de nature raciste et xénophobe’, ainsi que de ‘diffamation criminelle’. Les autres acteurs accusés de
diffamation et cités à comparaître devant le tribunal en juin sont les fournisseurs d’accès Internet Antenna et
Xs4all.
Le procès de la CCC et d’ICN a été convoqué le 24 septembre 2007. Les accusés n’étant pas présents en
personne, le tribunal a délivré un mandat d’arrêt contre les sept personnes des deux organisations. Lors de sa
séance du 1er décembre 2007 et en l’absence des sept militants néerlandais, le tribunal a ordonné la
délivrance d’un mandat d’arrêt international qui doit être rendu exécutoire par le Ministère Indien de
l’Intérieur.
Chronologie - Fact sheet FFI
The Clean Clothes Campaign (CCC) and the India Committee of the Netherlands (ICN) are conducting a
campaign to help workers at the Indian garment manufacturer Fibres and Fabrics International (FFI) in
Bangalore to secure safe and fair working conditions. In June 2007 FFI responded by launching a court
case against the two organisations, as well as their broadband and Internet service providers, after
having used legal action to silence local labour rights organisations in July 2006.
Background information:
End of 2005
Local unions and labour rights organisations report several labour violations, including high
work pressure, forced (unpaid) overtime, and physical and verbal abuse at the garment
manufacturer FFI and its subsidiary JKPL in Bangalore.
April 2006
A fact finding team of local labour rights organisations confirms the grievances on the basis of
interviews with workers at FFI. In July the team conducts additional interviews and in August
it publishes a report: (http://www.cleanclothes.org/ftp/06-08-Fact_Finding_Report-FFi.pdf).
The report recognizes that a number of problems have been resolved (e.g. physical violence
has stopped). However, workers who make critical comments about labour conditions at FFI
remain subject to intimidation.
May 2006
FFI refuses to talk seriously with the local trade union, the Garment and Textile Workers
Union (GATWU) to discuss how grievances can be resolved. Despite an appeal by the Dutch
Clean Clothes Campaign and the India Committee of the Netherlands in December 2005, the
producer’s main client, G-Star, also refuses to address the problem. The CCC and ICN decide
to make the case public.
July 2006
On the basis of accusations made by FFI that the organisations spread false information, the
local judge in Bangalore bans local unions and labour rights organisations from speaking in
public.. The court does not consider the content of the case, but issues an order ‘prima facie’
that forbids the organisations to publish information about conditions at FFI. In February
2007, this ‘gag order’ is prolonged.
Oct 2006
CCC and ICN report G-Star’s violation of the OECD guidelines at the Dutch National Contact
Point (NCP). NCP accepts the report and takes on the case, but no concrete measures are
taken. G-Star demands time and again that CCC and ICN stop the campaign and remove
displeasing information from their websites. In June 2007 CCC/ICN and G-Star have two
meetings. These meetings take place outside the framework of the formal procedure at the
NCP.
Nov 2006
CCC and ICN file a complaint at Social Accountability International (SAI), against the SA8000
certification of the FFI factories. CCC and ICN argue that the certification is unjust because
the right to freedom of association is not respected as long as the local union and labour
organisations cannot speak freely. SAI accepts the complaint. On the basis of the complaint,
research is conducted that leads to the suspension of SA8000 certification. In April 2007 SAI
publishes a statement saying that SAI certification needs to be suspended in cases where
manufacturers resort to legal action or other obstructions that makes consultation with
external stakeholders regarding the company’s compliance with labour standards impossible.
(http://www.saintl.org/index.cfm?fuseaction=Page.viewPage&pageId=534&parentID=477&nod
eID=1).
Jan 2007
CCC and ICN receive a letter from the law firm Pramila Associates of FFI. CCC/ICN are
accused of having "indulged in a systematic, planned conspiracy to malign and cause harm and
damage to the business, image and reputation of FFI by deliberately publishing false
information and cyber crime”. A large sum of money and the immediate suspension of the
campaign are demanded on penalty of ‘criminal- and civil legal steps’. The company also
threatens to call in Interpol. The accusations and threats are directed at the providers XS4ALL
and Antenna as well. Antenna hosts the website of ICN. XS4ALL only sells broadband services
to CCC.
Jan 2007
CCC receives a letter from the Indian Embassy in The Hague in which CCC/ICN are requested
to remove the information about FFI from their websites because the information is said to be
untrue. The letter further states that the CCC should not interfere in the Indian legal system.
May 2007
CCC, ICN, XS4ALL and Antenna are summoned to appear in front of the judge in Bangalore on
June 25th on grounds of libel, cyber crime, and acts of racist and xenophobic nature. While
the case has not yet been handled in court, the staff of these Dutch organisations face an
international arrest warrant to force them to appear in court in India.
Sept 2007
The judge in Bangalore requests the lawyers of FFI to proceed with the formalities necessary
to enable it to issue the arrest warrant.
Oct 2007
The Dutch Socialist Party questions the Minister of Foreign Affairs, the Minister of Justice and
the State Secretary of Economic Affairs about the possible consequences for policy on
corporate social responsibility ― which is based on independent research, transparency and
dialogue ― if the Indian judge decides in favour of FFI. These questions have not yet been
answered.
Amnesty International issues a public statement about the continuous harassment of
defenders of workers’ rights and campaigners abroad and condemns ‘the practice of filing
apparently unsubstantiated criminal charges’ aimed at curtailing the freedom of expression
(www.cleanclothes.org/news/07-10-02.htm).
The Dutch Queen pays a state visit to Bangalore, India. In the presence of the Dutch
delegation, the Indian Minister of Trade, Kamal Nath, accuses CCC/ICN of spreading false
reports. The accusation leads to a media frenzy and renewed attention in the Dutch
parliament.
Fair Wear Foundation posted their report on FFI on their website
http://www.fairwear.nl/tmp/2007%20%20Report%20on%20FFI%20complaint,%20aug%202007.pdf , in which they conclude that FFI
not only has been acting in violation with the International Labour Standards on Freedom of
Association and the Right to Collective Bargaining and to the basic requirements needed for
verifiable code implementation; but also that it has not shown the will to correct this serious
non-compliance by refusing to come to an agreement with the trade union and by sticking to
its course of taking legal action against parties that criticised the company. Reported
violations include the forced dismissal of 85 workers who joined the union GATWU in 2006.
Nov 2007
The Observatory for the Protection of Human Rights Defenders launches an urgent appeal in
support of staff members of the Clean Clothes Campaign (CCC) and the India Committee of
the Netherlands (ICN), and calls upon the Indian Prime minister to stop the harassment of the
CCC and ICN Human Rights Defenders. See: http://www.fidh.org/spip.php?article4860
The International Trade Union Confederation releases a press statement, in which it criticises
the attempts by the Indian government and the Bangalore Court to cover up serious labour
rights violations at the Indian jeans manufacturer Fibre & Fabrics International (FFI) and its
subsidiary Jeans Knits Pvt. Ltd. See:
http://www.ituc-csi.org/spip.php?article1566
Dec. 2007
An Indian magistrate Court rules that international warrants will be issued. The court will
send the case to the Indian Ministry of Home Affairs on December 4 asking it to execute the
arrest warrants and request extradition of the Dutch nationals.
Dec 2007
G-Star has published the summary of the outcomes of the SGS audit on their website. This
audit, commissioned by G-Star this summer, has taken place between September 11 and
November 2 2007. When G-Star first announced the intended audit, CCC and others (e.g. FWF,
ETI) have criticized G-Star for planning an audit while local stakeholders are gagged and no
guarantee could be given that workers feel confident to speak out freely. G-Star however
continued and commissioned SGS (a SA8000 certifying body, and after the CCC and ICN
complaint with SAI about FFI certification no longer a neutral party) to do the audit.
Although G-Star always indicated that the results would be public, they have not posted the
entire report on their website. Instead they announced that anyone interested can visit their
office to read the reports. G-Star cancelled the first appointment with the CCC and ICN
foreseen for the beginning of December 2007, and a new appointment is made for the week
of the 14th December. First glance at the summary (http://www.gstar.com/flash/corporate/FFI_Summary_Report_final_updated_27-11-07.pdf) makes clear
that the "gagging orders" against local stakeholders are not included in the report as
restraining freedom of association. Secondly there is mention of workers being trained
concerning unions. No mention who did the training, and what has been the content of the
training. The CCC and ICN are not at all convinced that workers have been able to speak out
freely, and therefore remain with their earlier assessment that when unions and labour rights
organisations are repressed for expressing criticism, no guarantee can be given that workers
can speak out freely. However, a full analysis of the audit is only possible after G-Star has
indeed revealed the content of the report
What is the current situation at the jeans factory FFI (5 nov 2007)?
While a number of the original labour rights violations reported at FFI have been resolved since GATWU and
CCC/ICN first drew attention to them, intimidations and threats of trade union members and staff of labour
rights NGO’s persist.
At this moment it is impossible to obtain independent information about working conditions at FFI due to the
fact that local labour rights organisations are legally prohibited from sharing any information. However, news
coverage about bad working conditions in other garment factories in Bangalore, where over the past year at
least three deaths were reported, makes clear that adequately tackling labour rights violations remains
urgent.
Instead of solving the reported problems and entering into dialogue with local organisations, FFI has opted for
a legal fight. The ´gag order´ has very serious consequences for local trade unions and NGOs. The affected
organisations are silenced; they can no longer share information about the situation at FFI with others. They
can no longer do their work properly. This entails a serious violation of the right to organise and freedom of
expression. Employees should be free to form and become a member of the trade union of their choice,
without fear of discrimination or intimidation. At FFI this is currently not the case. 85 Workers have been
dismissed following their joining of GATWU in 2006. GATWU is locked out and its work is being obstructed. As
long as GATWU is forbidden to speak publicly, workers can no longer count on protection if they are
confronted with repression as a result of their trade union membership or their interest in joining a union
These limitations on the freedom of expression also prevent workers from raising awareness of abuses and
from seeking support.
Finally, protest against these harassments also serves a broader purpose. Arbitrarily dragging defenders of
workers’ rights to court does not contribute to a sustainable solution of problems in the garment industry.
Legal procedures are being abused in order to gag local and international organisations, to intimidate them
and to discredit them. In its public statement on October 2nd, Amnesty International shared these concerns.
The case poses a serious threat to corporate social responsibility if it sets a precedent for companies to use
the courts to silence critics, rather than cooperate to solve existing problems.
Who is who
Clean Clothes Campaign (CCC) : International campaign organisation that aims to improve working
conditions in the garment industry worldwide
India Committee of the Netherlands (ICN) : Independent non-governmental organization, based on
solidarity with deprived groups in Indian society
G-Star Main client of FFI/JKPL
Fibres and Fabric International (FFI) : Garment manufacturer in Bangalore
Jeans Knit Pvt Ltd (JKPL) : 100% subsidiary of FFI
GATWU : Garment and Textile Workers Union – local trade union
NTUI New Trade Union Initiative : Indian trade union federation
Cividep : Civil Initiatives for Development and Peace - local labour rights organisation
Munnade Women Garment Workers Front - local women’s organisation/ ‘pre-union’
G-Star Belgium
Sint-Aldegondiskaai 18
2000 Antwerpen
Brussels, 17 December 2007
Dear Sir,
Today in Brussels, 19 organisations, among them the main Belgian trade unions and solidarity organisations,
are demonstrating to show their concerns about the violations of the right to organize and the right to speak
due to the legal proceedings your suppliers Fibre and Fabrics International has initiated against labour rights
organisations both locally and internationally.
We are pleased that G-Star has announced its intention to sever its business relationship with the Indian
manufacturer Fibres and Fabrics International (FFI) and its subsidiary Jeans Knits Pvt. Ltd (JKPL). We are
writing to you today to ask that you ensure that the workers at FFI/JKPL do not suffer additional harm as a
result of the manufacturer's irresponsible and harmful behavior.
G-Star must now make good on its promise of ethical treatment of workers by developing a responsible exit
strategy that makes the employment of FFI/JKPL employees its top priority. This can be achieved by
diverting FFI/JKPL orders to factories in the immediate vicinity that are willing to engage in socially
responsible production and give priority hiring to FFI/JKPL workers.
By suppressing the dissemination of information about working conditions, FFI/JKPL's spurious legal case
renders it fundamentally impossible to implement socially responsible sourcing policies in India. As a major
brand doing business in India, G-Star should publicly and unequivocally convey that suing unions or labour
rights organizations for circulating information on labour rights' violations, thereby restraining their right to
freedom of speech and to organize workers, is incompatible with its expectations of suppliers' respect for
freedom of association.
Finally, G-Star should make it clear to FFI/JKPL that new orders can be negotiated if, and only if, FFI/JKPL
withdraws the court cases and enters into a good faith dialogue with the local organizations involved to
normalize industrial relations and address outstanding labour issues.
Organisations participating in the action in Belgium :
TRADE UNIONS : CNE, CSC-ACV, Etudiants FGTB, FGTB-ABVV, Jeunes CSC, SETCA, LBC
NGOs : CNCD-11.11.11, FIDH, FOS, Indymedia, KWB, NCOS-11.11.11, Oxfam Magasins du monde, Oxfam
Solidarité, Peuples Solidaires, Solidarité Mondiale-Wereldsolidariteit. Uilekot
Sincerely yours,
On behalf of the participating organisations,
Carole Crabbé
Coordinator
Campagne Vêtements Propres
Place de l’Université, 16
1348 Louvain-la-Neuve
Tél +32 (0)10 45 75 27
[email protected]
www ;vetementspropres.be
Frieda De Koninck
Coordinator
Schone Kleren Campagne
Haachtsesteenweg 579
1030 Bruxelles
Tél +32 (0)2 246 36 81
[email protected]
www.schonekleren.be
[email protected],
[email protected],
[email protected]
Brussels, 17 December 2007
Dear Mr. Ghiase, Mr. Kothari, and Mr. Gruiters,
Today in Brussels, 19 organisations, among them the main Belgian trade unions and solidarity organisations
are demonstrating to show to the media, to brand name companies and to their government their concerns
about the violations of the right to organize and the right to speak due to the legal proceedings you have
initiated against labour rights organisations both locally and internationally.
Despite repeated calls by the trade union GATWU for dialogue, you asked for a court order to be placed on
local Indian organisations to prevent them from circulating information related to the labour rights situation
in FFI and JKPL inside and outside India. Nationally and internationally this gag order is seen as a very
restrictive step that seriously hampers workers and their organisations from speaking out and defending their
rights.
Equally alarming is the fact that you have pursued legal action against other organisations and their
employees for urging you to resolve the outstanding labour issues, most notably the lack of freedom of
association of your employees. Recently you have started litigation against the Clean Clothes Campaign, the
India Committee of the Netherlands Antenna and Xs4all accusing them of slander following their efforts to
draw attention to the reported workers´ rights violations at your facilities.
Notwithstanding numerous calls by labour rights advocates all over the world, you have not taken any steps
towards the resolution of this case.
We strongly believe that litigation is not the way to resolve labour rights' violations. Local stakeholder
involvement is essential in realising the sustainable improvement of working conditions at FFI and JKPL.
Therefore we urge you to withdraw all the complaints you have filed with the court in relation to this matter
and immediately start engaging with your local stakeholders including GATWU, NTUI, Cividep and the Women
Garment Workers' Front 'Munnade' to deal with outstanding issues.
In the meantime, we are proud to announce that numerous organisations participating today to the
demonstration are making available on their webpage the information related to this outstanding case. They
would appreciate to be able to disseminate as well the information related to the withdrawal of the court
cases by FFI/JKPL and the respect of the freedom of association by your company.
Organisations participating in the action in Belgium :
TRADE UNIONS : CNE, CSC-ACV, Etudiants FGTB, FGTB-ABVV, Jeunes CSC, SETCA, LBC
NGOs : CNCD-11.11.11, FIDH, FOS, Indymédia, KWB, NCOS-11.11.11, Oxfam Magasins du monde, Oxfam
Solidarité, Peuples Solidaires, Solidarité Mondiale-Wereldsolidariteit. Uilekot
Sincerely yours,
On behalf of the participating organisations,
Carole Crabbé
Coordinator
Campagne Vêtements Propres
Frieda De Koninck
Coordinator
Schone Kleren Campagne

Ne laissez pas bâillonner la liberté d`expression et la

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