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Release detained Foxconn India workers says TUC

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Release detained Foxconn India workers says TUC

Twelve workers and union leaders have been jailed for seeking union recognition and collective bargaining at a Foxconn plant in Chennai, India. Brendan Barber, TUC General Secretary has today written to the Indian High Commission, calling on the Indian Government to release them and ensure respect for workers rights.

22 October 2010

His Excellency Mr Nalie Surie
High Commissioner of India

Dear High Commissioner

Imprisonment of workers and union leaders at Foxconn India

On behalf of the TUC and its 58 affiliated trade unions, and 6.2 million members, I wish to protest against the continued imprisonment of 12 union leaders and workers in Vellore central prison in violation of fundamental workers' rights.

We have been informed by International Trade Union Confederation (ITUC) that criminal charges have been filed against trade union leaders and workers at the Foxconn plant in a Special Economic Zone in Chennai, India after they took strike action for union recognition and wage rises.

We are informed that 12 Foxconn workers and union leaders remain in prison in Chennai after hundreds of striking workers were arrested on 9 October 2010.

More than 1,200 permanent workers belonging to the Foxconn India Thozhilalar Sangam (FITS) union, which is affiliated to the Centre of Indian Trade Unions (CITU), at the plant have been involved in weeks of struggle to have their union recognised by management to allow collective bargaining to take place.

The Deputy Labour Commissioner has asked the company not to victimise the striking workers however, police have repeatedly harassed, arrested and detained them.

On 9 October, police arrested hundreds of these workers. Around 319 workers including trade union leaders were placed in custody and transferred to Vellore central jail. The remaining workers were released and around 200 women workers were taken to a bus stop and asked to leave. When the women refused, they were abused and forced off the police vehicle.

On 13 October, the court granted bail to 307 workers. The remaining 12 workers and union leaders remain in jail, including A. Soundhirarajan, CITU State General Secretary and E. Muthu Kumar, CITU District Secretary, Kanchipuram and FITS President.

As a member of the International Labour Organisation, the government of India has an obligation to uphold the right to freedom of association and collective bargaining, and refrain from using police force to prevent workers from enjoying these rights.

We therefore urge the Indian Government to ensure that all trade union leaders and workers are released from prison, and that the criminal charges against them be dropped. We also urge your Government to ensure that Foxconn respects fundamental workers' rights in India.

I look forward to your reply.

Yours sincerely

Brendan Barber


BRENDAN BARBER

General Secretary

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