FIDH identified serious human rights concerns on textile factories’ work-floors and hostels during its mission and as a result of interviews conducted with local trade unions, NGOs and experts. Precarious employment and working conditions continue to be commonplace. Disproportionate use of contract labour and apprenticeship, stripping workers of legal protections and benefits, as well as overtime work and salaries below minimum wage are amongst the issues prevailing in garment factories. Garment workers can be subject to an alarming level of control both within factories and at hostels, including through restrictions on their freedom of movement and communication outside the factory. Garment factory facilities such as “doctors rooms” and toilets were found empty in every factory visited, which may indicate an intense pressure to maintain high productivity.
URL : 20140808115008.pdf