Factory employment rights under threat
08 December 2009
» Original article in Central American Report
Bosses have used the coup to squeeze workers, says Laia Blanch of anti-poverty organisation War on Want.
COLECTIVA DE MUJERES Hondureñas (Honduran Women's Collective - CODEMUH) is a women-led rights organisation and long-term partner of War on Want that works to empower women workers in Honduras' Export Processing Zones (EPZs). Over the last 20 years, the maquiladora industry has become an integral part of the Honduran economy. CODEMUH has monitored and documented violations of human and employment rights in its garment factories, especially among women workers.
The Honduran maquila industry is one of the largest exporters of textile products to the US and the leading exporter to Central American and Caribbean countries, and is highly dependent on these markets. Employing around 133,000 people, of whom 70 percent are women, the main product is clothing, including well-known brand names such as WalMart, Adidas, Hanes, HBI, Fruit of the Loom and GAP. Though the maquila industry has brought much needed investment to Honduras, the benefits are limited to a minority and have come at the expense of basic employment rights.
In the aftermath of the coup, CODEMUH, together with other Honduran grassroots organisations, has campaigned against abuses of human and employment rights in the maquilas. In July, it reported that workers were forced by factory owners to join in the so-called Marchas de la Paz (Peace Walks) organised by the de facto president, Roberto Micheletti, and financed by the business community with the support of the military. While the majority of workers opposed the coup, they felt forced to attend these rallies two or three times a month for fear of losing their jobs.
They were told they would be paid the daily minimum wage (around 100 lempiras - roughly £3), but CODEMUH informed War on Want they received nothing. In fact, after attending demonstrations they were forced to make up for ‘lost' time by working an extra day. They were also required to work two additional hours each day without pay in response to a curfew imposed by the de facto government. CODEMUH has condemned this flagrant violation of Article 23 of the Honduran Labour Code, which states that "workers cannot take advantage of the profit or utilities made by the owners and never assume their risk and losses".
CODEMUH has denounced the actions of the Honduran Council of Private Companies, which has used the crisis to try to push through reforms that would relax employment laws in EPZs. Under the proposed changes, factory owners would be allowed to employ workers on a temporary or part-time basis. For EPZ workers, who already face appalling working conditions, long hours and low pay, such legislation would result in the loss of social security benefits, more job insecurity and other long term consequences affecting their livelihoods. CODEMUH has campaigned against these proposed reforms, while raising awareness among women workers of the impact of the coup on their civil liberties and employment rights. Working in partnership with CODEMUH, War on Want is dedicated to exposing and taking action against the violation of human rights in sweatshops.
Worker's testimony - San Pedro Sula
My name is María López* and I'm a Honduran garment worker at the Elcatex factory of the Canahuati- Lovable company group. We produce for international companies such as Hanes Brand Inc, HBI, WalMart, JC Penny and Jockey. A few days ago, the factory owner forced us to participate in the Marchas de la Paz organised by the de facto government, business class and Evangelical and Catholic Church leaders. They mobilised four buses full of men and women workers. During the protest they told us to shout "Viva Micheletti", and when the CNN helicopter was approaching us we were told to say "Queremos paz"(We want peace) and "Qué viva el Presidente Micheletti" (Long live President Micheletti).
I participated in this march because I was not aware of the situation. And what will I do without my job?
* This worker's name has been changed to protect her identity
» For more information on CODEMUH, visit their website (in Spanish)
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