Clean Up Fashion - Philippines: Striking workers need your support

Philippines: Striking workers need your support

Labour Behind the Label is asking supporters to deliver a letter to their nearest Asda Wal-Mart store indicating concern for the workers at the Chong Won Factory in the Philippines, which is producing for Asda's parent company, Wal-Mart.Since October Chong Won workers have been on strike against on going and serious workers rights violations at the factory and have endured violent attacks by police and security guards at the request of factory management, whilst delivery of food supplies have been prevented. Yet Wal-Mart hasn't bothered to publicly denounce these actions nor have they taken adequate steps to improve working conditions at the factory

Throughout December consumers around the world will deliver letters to Wal-Mart stores demanding that Wal-Mart take responsibility and ACTION to protect the rights of the Chong Won workers.

Please join them today and deliver a letter to your nearest ASDA.

For several years the workers at Chong Won have endured unacceptable working conditions such as not being allowed to drink water during work, working 24 hour shifts, very low pay, and freedom of association violations. On October 25th the workers of Chong Won Fashion, represented by independent trade union United Workers of Chong Won, went on strike as all other options had been exhausted. Workers have demanded that the factory management begin to bargain collectively with the union and that Wal-Mart uphold its code of conduct.

Since then a number of striking workers have been physically assaulted by factory security guards as well as security guards from the export processing zone (an area where many of the factories producing products for export are located). At least 37 workers have suffered head and body injuries. As many as 116 illegal dismissal letters were presented to workers that participated in the strike.

A food blockade and check points have now been set up by the export processing zone and factory management to prevent striking workers from receiving basic necessities. The striking workers have gone without pay for over 2 months and want to go back to work but only if Wal-Mart and factory management will follow the law. Wal-Mart has been engaged in this case for over 2 months but has refused to follow up its words with action and this has lead to a delayed resolution to the strike.Furthermore, Wal-Mart has ceased to respond to any inquiries about the process and even back tracked on several key issues. Wal-Mart has even gone as far as to press workers to say things that will "save the reputation" of Wal-Mart.

The United Workers of Chong Won are calling on Asda Wal-Mart consumers to deliver letters to Wal-Mart stores demanding that Wal-Mart remain engaged and transparent as the workers continue to struggle for their most basic rights.

Take action to support the Chong Won workers - click on the link below to sign up and download a letter:

www.unionvoice.org/laborrights/events/WalMartDelivery06/details.tcl

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