22976: (Arthur) Dismissed workers claim Levi's is pants (fwd)

[Bob Corbett <corbetre@webster.edu>]

From: Tttnhm@aol.com

02-Aug-2004 - The Voice newspaper
http://www.voice-online.net/content.php?show=4735&type=2

DISMISSED WORKERS CLAIM LEVI’S IS PANTS

Clothing manufacturer Levi Strauss is under pressure to tackle an alleged
breach of workers’ rights by a supplier in Haiti.

The Haiti Support Group, based in London, has called on Levi’s to ensure that
Grupo M, a manufacturing company in north-east Haiti, negotiates with
dismissed workers.

Following a one-day strike in June this year, more than 300 workers,
responsible for sewing the Levi’s 500 and 555 jeans series, were fired by the factory
owner, from neighbouring Dominican Republic.

Following another one-day strike on June 8, workers were locked out of the
factory and Dominican soldiers were called in.

Grupo M then announced the factory was to be closed and all 700 workers were
to be dismissed because of “security reasons in the face of threats and
violent actions by a group of activists”.

However, adverts for new staff were carried by a local newspaper over the
weekend.

Leah Gordon, member of the support group, told The Voice: “Levi’s have
written to us and said that they were made aware of the situation in March and are
concerned about it. They also said the factory was unable to meet the
production demands of Levi Strauss. But that has been used by Grupo M as justification
for laying off the workers.

“Levi’s have told us that if production improves, they hoped that Grupo M
would rehire the workers and have a non-discriminatory policy.”

A demonstration in front of the Levi’s flagship store on Regent Street in
London last Thursday follows on from other demonstrations throughout Europe.

“More and more people are aware of the politics of trade,” said Gordon.


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See the Haiti Support Group web site:
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Solidarity with the Haitian people's struggle for justice, participatory
democracy and equitable development, since 1992.
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