Conditions in Canadian-owned factories the worst in Honduras

[Judi Lynn]

Conditions in Canadian-owned factories the worst in Honduras
By Julia Smith | May 13, 2015

Conditions in Canadian-owned Gildan garment factories are among the worst in Honduras says Reyna Tejada, a former factory worker and representative from CODEMUH, a feminist labour organization. Tejada was in Vancouver to speak at the CUPE-BC convention, held April 29 to May 2.

Gildan factories produce t-shirts, fleeces and apparel for other companies to put their logos and graphics on. The company currently has contracts for brands such as New Balance and Secret.

Founded in Montreal in 1984, Gildan closed its last factory in Canada in 2007, moving manufacturing to countries where it can take advantage of free trade zones and cheap labour. Gildan's market share doubled between 2009 and 2013, and since Canada and Honduras have signed a fair trade agreement, in 2014, Gildan is planning to increase sales in Canada.

Gildan has been accused of firing workers for organizing unions and failing to comply with occupational health standards in Honduras, Haiti and the Dominican Republic.

More:
http://rabble.ca/news/2015/05/conditions-canadian-owned-factories-worst-honduras?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+rabble-news+%28rabble.ca+-+News+for+the+rest+of+us%29

[polly7]

1. This is disgusting.

Hopefully, when Harper and his Cons go in October someone will begin to address horrors like this. Every 'free' trade agreement has brought this kind of suffering to those who can least bear it. Only the rich and hypocrites would turn a blind eye or completely deny it.