Congress 2010 Emergency motion: E4 Bangladeshi garment workers
Emergency motion to TUC Congress 2010
E4 Bangladeshi garment workers
Congress gives its full support for the 3.5 million Bangladeshi garment workers struggle for a 5,000 Taka minimum wage. The Bangladeshi garment workers are the lowest paid workers in the global economy. Eighty per cent of these workers are young women.
Congress calls for the immediate release from prison of the Garment Workers Trade Union leaders in Bangladesh.
Congress recognises the plight of governments against powerful global companies that can threaten both their economy and political stability. However, these governments must make harsh choices and recognise that the correct alliance is with their workers, their trade unions and the global trade union movement to reign in the power of the global companies. Congress condemns the use of state forces to break the struggle and to harass, beat and threaten workers and their union leaders.
Congress reiterates its demands for genuine democratic trade unions throughout the world to collectively bargain with employers.
Congress calls on affiliates to raise the struggle of the garment workers with their members and where they have collective bargaining arrangements with employers that produce and retail goods from Bangladesh. In conjunction with our international partners, maximum leverage must be applied to EU and North American companies like WalMart, ASDA, Tesco, H&M and Marks and Spencer to demand their suppliers pay the 5,000 Taka minimum wage.
Congress will work with affiliates and global partners to raise the rights of the Bangladeshi garment workers with political leaders in the UK, the EU, North America and Bangladesh.
Mover: Unite
Seconder: GMB
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