In a victory to workers, the owners of Dragon Group begin payments. But it’s not enough…
International Solidarity gains victory in workers struggle in Bangladesh
After months of protests and international solidarity actions, the owner of two big garment factories finally pays owed wages and severance payments. As has been reported, the workers of Dragon Sweater factory in Dhaka, Bangladesh, were laid off illegally during the pandemic (March 2020) without payment of outstanding wages and benefits. The workers campaigned tirelessly to demand payment from the owners and have been supported all along by international organizations and initiatives, like
Global May Day and the International Confederation of Labour, ICL.
In October, after a campaign of physical intimidation and attacks by the bosses’ thugs, the workers agreed to give up some of their demands in exchange for payment in instalments, starting as soon as November. However, the bosses failed to honour the agreement, made no payment at all, and the workers began their campaign again.
This time, considering the militancy and protracted nature of the workers’ struggle along with the unyielding attitude of the owners, the Labour Minister herself was forced to be
present at the meetings.
In early December, a new agreement was reached to pay due wages and benefits to workers who had been hired on a monthly salary. They have been paid since. However, the large majority of workers, who worked on a per-piece rate, and floor and quality control managers, were not included.
A panel was formed to work out the amounts owed to workers on a per-piece rate. However, it was heavily biased in favour of the owners and put forward a figure that is 50% lower than the real amount, therefore placing workers’ salaries below the minimum wage as stipulated by the Bangladesh Labour Act 2006. After protests from the workers and the union GWTUC, and the Minister’s intervention, a higher figure was proposed and payments were due to begin on December 22. GWTUC still plans to go to court to win Dragon workers their entire unpaid wages.
Regarding managers, the negotiations have stalled. The union estimates that millions of Tk are owed, going back decades. Only the amounts relevant to their Provident Fund have been paid this far, which is in itself a victory, since the owners had also refused to acknowledge these. Again, GWTUC will take the matter to the labour courts.
International Solidarity
Workers for the Dragon Group always had to fight to receive their full wages and benefits. They have toiled in unsafe working conditions for years, culminating in their illegal termination by the owners, using the excuse of the Pandemic.
But the workers never gave up. GWTUC informs that their struggle can be considered a victory, with the overall situation of the garment workers struggle in Bangladesh. The unprecedented internationalism and solidarity displayed by trade unions, workers organizations and comrades around the world to stand beside the workers of Dragon Sweater is specially outstanding.
In the long history of the garment workers struggle in Bangladesh, this is the first time, when international actions have taken place with such unprecedented coordination and solidarity. The Global May Day initiative, Free Workers Union (FAU), Industrial Workers’ of the World, the International Confederation of Labour (ICL), CNT, FOB, FORA, FGWM, SAC and friends from all across the world played their part in achieving the just demands of the Dragon workers.
Likewise, holding international brands accountable, through constant actions and demonstrations, played a vital role in forcing the local garment owners into the negotiating table, which wouldn’t have happened otherwise.
Also, ICL’s fundraising efforts and comrades’ contributions from around the world especially helped Dragon workers keep their resolve strong and provided much needed food, medical supplies and legal aid during the struggle.
Overall, we must say that the international solidarity and comradeship displayed in the struggle will forever remain a milestone in the history of the workers movement in Bangladesh.
News Link:
In solidarity
Mahmood Sadaat Ruhul_
International Affairs Department
Garments Workers Trade Union Center (GWTUC)
Also available in:
Español (Spanish)
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![Comunicado de prensa del sindicato FAU: delegación de paz retenida en el hotel, acto prohibido
[14 de junio, 10 a.m., Erbil] Todos los integrantes de la delegación de paz al norte de Irak se encuentran detenidos hoy en su hotel para impedir la celebración de un acto y una rueda de prensa frente a la oficina de la misión de la ONU en Erbil, algo a lo que ayer se había comprometido un representante del gobierno de la región.
Aproximadamente 30 peshmergas, armados con fusiles de asalto, custodian a las 60 personas que integran la delegación. Ayer mismo, la delegación se reunió con el ministro de Exteriores del Gobierno de la Región Autónoma del Kurdistán Iraquí (PDK), quien empeñó su palabra en que se permitiría la realización del acto. De momento, parece que la detención no es estricta, pero se han prohibido todos los actos públicos. Otros delegados se encuentran custodiados en este momento.
Wolf Meyer, integrante del secretariado internacional de FAU: “estas actuaciones del gobierno del Kurdistán Iraquí son indignas de unas relaciones internacionales oficiales y recuerdan, no a una democracia, sino a la dictadura que se vive en Turquía. Se nos arresta, deporta y detiene con al apoyo y la complicidad del Gobierno alemán. Exigimos la puesta en libertad inmediata de todas las personas prisioneras, que se respete el derecho a manifestarse y que se honren los acuerdos y la palabra dada. Pedimos a todos los sindicatos de base que alcen su voz con determinación frente a la situación que se vive ahora mismo en Erbil”.
FAU · Germany
Freie Arbeiterinnen- und Arbeiter Union
(Sindicato libre de trabajadores y trabajadores)](https://scontent-frx5-1.cdninstagram.com/v/t51.2885-15/201842128_385247316251692_1966993115829631177_n.jpg?_nc_cat=100&ccb=1-5&_nc_sid=8ae9d6&_nc_ohc=jWrScnnU-DAAX9zSMKS&_nc_ht=scontent-frx5-1.cdninstagram.com&edm=ANo9K5cEAAAA&oh=f823dcb433485602a959cbf9b116cf35&oe=61521159 "Comunicado de prensa del sindicato FAU: delegación de paz retenida en el hotel, acto prohibido
[14 de junio, 10 a.m., Erbil] Todos los integrantes de la delegación de paz al norte de Irak se encuentran detenidos hoy en su hotel para impedir la celebración de un acto y una rueda de prensa frente a la oficina de la misión de la ONU en Erbil, algo a lo que ayer se había comprometido un representante del gobierno de la región.
Aproximadamente 30 peshmergas, armados con fusiles de asalto, custodian a las 60 personas que integran la delegación. Ayer mismo, la delegación se reunió con el ministro de Exteriores del Gobierno de la Región Autónoma del Kurdistán Iraquí (PDK), quien empeñó su palabra en que se permitiría la realización del acto. De momento, parece que la detención no es estricta, pero se han prohibido todos los actos públicos. Otros delegados se encuentran custodiados en este momento.
Wolf Meyer, integrante del secretariado internacional de FAU: “estas actuaciones del gobierno del Kurdistán Iraquí son indignas de unas relaciones internacionales oficiales y recuerdan, no a una democracia, sino a la dictadura que se vive en Turquía. Se nos arresta, deporta y detiene con al apoyo y la complicidad del Gobierno alemán. Exigimos la puesta en libertad inmediata de todas las personas prisioneras, que se respete el derecho a manifestarse y que se honren los acuerdos y la palabra dada. Pedimos a todos los sindicatos de base que alcen su voz con determinación frente a la situación que se vive ahora mismo en Erbil”.
FAU · Germany
Freie Arbeiterinnen- und Arbeiter Union
(Sindicato libre de trabajadores y trabajadores)")
![[June 14, 10 a.m., Erbil] The entire peace delegation in northern Iraq is being held in its hotel today to prevent a rally and press conference in front of the UN representation in Erbil, which was promised yesterday by a government representative.
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About 30 Peshmerga with assault rifles are keeping the 60-strong peace delegation in northern Iraq in their hotel. Only yesterday, the delegation met with the foreign minister of the Autonomous Iraqi Kurdistan Region (PDK) who promised the rally could take place. Currently, the detention seems to be relaxed, but all demonstrations are still banned. Other delegates are currently in custody.
Wolf Meyer, member of the international committee of the FAU: “The current actions of the government of the Iraqi Kurdistan are unworthy of official international relations and are reminiscent not of a civil democracy but of a Turkish dictatorship. We are being arrested, deported, detained – with support and acquiescence of the German government. We demand all prisoners be released, the right to demonstrate and that joint agreements be respected. We ask all trade unions to find clear words for the current situation in Erbil.”
#irak #kurdistan](https://scontent-frt3-1.cdninstagram.com/v/t51.2885-15/201559472_218032290141991_420199474714961924_n.jpg?_nc_cat=104&ccb=1-5&_nc_sid=8ae9d6&_nc_ohc=O2mRLF-N5fAAX_LekLo&_nc_ht=scontent-frt3-1.cdninstagram.com&edm=ANo9K5cEAAAA&oh=550e8831cf113dc1d11f6733532148fa&oe=61520472 "[June 14, 10 a.m., Erbil] The entire peace delegation in northern Iraq is being held in its hotel today to prevent a rally and press conference in front of the UN representation in Erbil, which was promised yesterday by a government representative.
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About 30 Peshmerga with assault rifles are keeping the 60-strong peace delegation in northern Iraq in their hotel. Only yesterday, the delegation met with the foreign minister of the Autonomous Iraqi Kurdistan Region (PDK) who promised the rally could take place. Currently, the detention seems to be relaxed, but all demonstrations are still banned. Other delegates are currently in custody.
Wolf Meyer, member of the international committee of the FAU: “The current actions of the government of the Iraqi Kurdistan are unworthy of official international relations and are reminiscent not of a civil democracy but of a Turkish dictatorship. We are being arrested, deported, detained – with support and acquiescence of the German government. We demand all prisoners be released, the right to demonstrate and that joint agreements be respected. We ask all trade unions to find clear words for the current situation in Erbil.”
#irak #kurdistan")
![Delegation of the FAU in Northern Iraq
On the road against war and for internationalism in action!
The Free Workers Union is currently participating in a large international delegation in the Autonomous Region of Kurdistan (Northern Iraq). The reason for this is the ongoing human rights crimes, military actions and provocations on the part of the Turkish government and the Barzani regime¹, which is close to the Turkish government, as well as the worsening working and living conditions for the workers of the region.
As an internationalist labour union federation, we stand with the workers and peasants all over the world against the Turkish dictatorship, which is covering the whole region of the so-called Middle East with war, destruction of nature and political oppression.
Background
The Turkish regime under dictator Recep Tayyip Erdoğan pursues a policy of annexation and ethnic cleansing². The biggest counterweight against this racist war policy is the communalist movement³. This movement is organized in Turkey, Syria and Iraq and is mainly supported by Kurds, but also Yezidis, Arabs, Turkmens, Assyrians and members of many other communities as a multi-ethnic project.
In Iraq, Turkey is currently attempting to take control of the retreat areas of communalist organizations, as well as border areas with the communalist-administered region of northern and eastern Syria (also known as Rojava). Thus, it regularly carries out bombardments on Iraqi territory against alleged or actual revolutionaries. Furthermore, the Barzani clan and the Turkish state are expanding their military presence in these areas. In recent months, over 40 military bases have been established and thousands of soldiers have been deployed to the region.
With the current attacks and air strikes, Turkey is trying to provoke an intra-Kurdish war between communalists and the Barzani regime, which is economically dependent on Turkey. This tactic aims to weaken Kurdish resistance to Turkey, cut off supply routes to northeastern Syria, and legitimize a Turkish occupation of parts of Iraq.
...
[You can continue reading the news in our website]](https://scontent-frt3-1.cdninstagram.com/v/t51.2885-15/200462465_155193703263125_4185419471443658935_n.jpg?_nc_cat=106&ccb=1-5&_nc_sid=8ae9d6&_nc_ohc=E3zGAteU6d8AX_Xi-EV&_nc_ht=scontent-frt3-1.cdninstagram.com&edm=ANo9K5cEAAAA&oh=199a5c3de3150aeb8c9f5b02cea0d8d5&oe=61515A41 "Delegation of the FAU in Northern Iraq
On the road against war and for internationalism in action!
The Free Workers Union is currently participating in a large international delegation in the Autonomous Region of Kurdistan (Northern Iraq). The reason for this is the ongoing human rights crimes, military actions and provocations on the part of the Turkish government and the Barzani regime¹, which is close to the Turkish government, as well as the worsening working and living conditions for the workers of the region.
As an internationalist labour union federation, we stand with the workers and peasants all over the world against the Turkish dictatorship, which is covering the whole region of the so-called Middle East with war, destruction of nature and political oppression.
Background
The Turkish regime under dictator Recep Tayyip Erdoğan pursues a policy of annexation and ethnic cleansing². The biggest counterweight against this racist war policy is the communalist movement³. This movement is organized in Turkey, Syria and Iraq and is mainly supported by Kurds, but also Yezidis, Arabs, Turkmens, Assyrians and members of many other communities as a multi-ethnic project.
In Iraq, Turkey is currently attempting to take control of the retreat areas of communalist organizations, as well as border areas with the communalist-administered region of northern and eastern Syria (also known as Rojava). Thus, it regularly carries out bombardments on Iraqi territory against alleged or actual revolutionaries. Furthermore, the Barzani clan and the Turkish state are expanding their military presence in these areas. In recent months, over 40 military bases have been established and thousands of soldiers have been deployed to the region.
With the current attacks and air strikes, Turkey is trying to provoke an intra-Kurdish war between communalists and the Barzani regime, which is economically dependent on Turkey. This tactic aims to weaken Kurdish resistance to Turkey, cut off supply routes to northeastern Syria, and legitimize a Turkish occupation of parts of Iraq.
...
[You can continue reading the news in our website]")
![Delegación de FAU en el norte de Irak
¡En marcha contra la guerra y por el internacionalismo en acción!
FAU (Sindicato de Trabajadores y Trabajadoras Libres) participa actualmente en una gran delegación internacional a la Región Autónoma del Kurdistán (Norte de Irak). El motivo de esta es oponerse a las incesantes violaciones de los derechos humanos, las ofensivas militares y las provocaciones por parte del gobierno turco y del régimen de Barzani¹, muy próximo a aquel, así como al deterioro de las condiciones laborales y vitales de las personas trabajadoras en la región.
Como federación sindical internacionalista que es FAU, estaremos siempre junto a trabajadores y trabajadoras, campesinos y campesinas de todo el mundo, contra la dictadura turca, que siembra la guerra, la destrucción del medio ambiente y la opresión política en todo el ámbito de la región denominada Oriente Medio.
Antecedentes
El régimen turco del dictador Recep Tayyip Erdoğan lleva a cabo una política de anexión y limpieza étnica². El mayor obstáculo frente a esta expansión de la guerra racista es el movimiento del confederalismo democrático³. Este se encuentra organizado en Turquía, Siria e Irak y recibe el apoyo, principalmente, de la población kurda, pero también yazidí, árabe, turcomana, asiria y de integrantes de muchas otras comunidades, porque se trata de un proyecto multiétnico.
En Irak, el gobierno turco pretende actualmente hacerse con el control de las zonas en que se refugian las organizaciones del confederalismo democrático, así como de las regiones fronterizas con la parte del norte y el este de Siria en las que está implantado este proyecto (también conocida como Rojava). Por este motivo, bombardea de manera regular el territorio iraquí, para atacar a revolucionarios imaginados o reales. Además, el clan Barzani y el estado turco están ampliando su presencia militar en estas zonas. En los últimos meses, han establecido más de 40 bases militares y han desplegado miles de soldados en la región.
...
[Continúa leyendo en nuestra web]](https://scontent-frt3-2.cdninstagram.com/v/t51.2885-15/201447207_829040981351404_1172851962165063741_n.jpg?_nc_cat=103&ccb=1-5&_nc_sid=8ae9d6&_nc_ohc=Tyb7nkLOqOgAX9OpQaL&_nc_ht=scontent-frt3-2.cdninstagram.com&edm=ANo9K5cEAAAA&oh=dc7d411db0cbda12461ec97a43741c21&oe=61511225 "Delegación de FAU en el norte de Irak
¡En marcha contra la guerra y por el internacionalismo en acción!
FAU (Sindicato de Trabajadores y Trabajadoras Libres) participa actualmente en una gran delegación internacional a la Región Autónoma del Kurdistán (Norte de Irak). El motivo de esta es oponerse a las incesantes violaciones de los derechos humanos, las ofensivas militares y las provocaciones por parte del gobierno turco y del régimen de Barzani¹, muy próximo a aquel, así como al deterioro de las condiciones laborales y vitales de las personas trabajadoras en la región.
Como federación sindical internacionalista que es FAU, estaremos siempre junto a trabajadores y trabajadoras, campesinos y campesinas de todo el mundo, contra la dictadura turca, que siembra la guerra, la destrucción del medio ambiente y la opresión política en todo el ámbito de la región denominada Oriente Medio.
Antecedentes
El régimen turco del dictador Recep Tayyip Erdoğan lleva a cabo una política de anexión y limpieza étnica². El mayor obstáculo frente a esta expansión de la guerra racista es el movimiento del confederalismo democrático³. Este se encuentra organizado en Turquía, Siria e Irak y recibe el apoyo, principalmente, de la población kurda, pero también yazidí, árabe, turcomana, asiria y de integrantes de muchas otras comunidades, porque se trata de un proyecto multiétnico.
En Irak, el gobierno turco pretende actualmente hacerse con el control de las zonas en que se refugian las organizaciones del confederalismo democrático, así como de las regiones fronterizas con la parte del norte y el este de Siria en las que está implantado este proyecto (también conocida como Rojava). Por este motivo, bombardea de manera regular el territorio iraquí, para atacar a revolucionarios imaginados o reales. Además, el clan Barzani y el estado turco están ampliando su presencia militar en estas zonas. En los últimos meses, han establecido más de 40 bases militares y han desplegado miles de soldados en la región.
...
[Continúa leyendo en nuestra web]")
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