Obstruction of Freedom of Association, Bangladesh - 2024
On 15 February 2024, union organisers and activists of the Akota Garment Worker Federation (AGWF) in Bangladesh were beaten, threatened, and subsequently hospitalised. The attack followed an attempt by workers of the Libas Textiles factory in Gazipur, to establish a factory union that would join the AGWF. The factory union had filed for registration according to the law in July 2023 but were denied registration. Bangladesh labour law is restrictive in allowing new unions to organise, and often arbitrary in its application on union’s registration requests. The workers' urge to unionise followed increased production targets and sustained verbal abuse of workers. The attack on the two union representatives (Shariful Islam and Jagdish Babu), in front of the factory gates, has had a chilling effect on the factory level union, which under threat of further violence, abduction, and even death has suspended all activity. Soon after the attacks union leaders avoided to sleep at home, fearing for further attacks.
Basic Information
Case ID: 2024-002
Identification Number from Open Supply Hub (OS-ID): BD202005362ZFCM
Affected Country: Bangladesh
Date of occurrence: 2024-02-15
Social Sector Risks concerned:
- Freedom of association and collective bargaining (Conventions Nr. 11 & 87 & 98 & 135 & 141 & 154; Recommendations Nr. 91 & 143)
Supplier Details
Libas Textiles Ltd.
Jabber Tower, Level – 11 42, Gulshan Avenue, Gulshan – 1 –
Dhaka
1212
Bangladesh
Supplier Website: https://libastex.com
Production Site
Libas Textiles Ltd.
address not available
Nischintapur, Mowchak
Gazipur
Bangladesh
Known certifications:
Source of information about certifications:
https://libastex.com
Total number of workers/employees:
5.000
No gender specific information available.
Workers movement
There are unions active.
Name(s) of union(s) :
in foundation
Source of information about unions:
https://cleanclothes.org/news/2024/union-activists-in-bangladesh-beaten-and-threatened-for-exercising-their-right-to-organise
No information about workers commitee available.
Business Relations
Known Buyer/Brands:
- Aldi Süd Dienstleistungs-GmbH
- C&A Mode GmbH & Co. KG
- H&M Hennes & Mauritz B.V. & Co. KG
- NKD Group GmbH
At least one of the buyers has the duty to report according to the Supply Chain Act / CSDDD.
Follow up
Are there any reactions to the follow up: no information
Sources
Name of reporting organisation: Clean Clothes Campaign
Source of information about the case:
Contributor: SÜDWIND
- Last updated on .