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Let's be friendsP&P action highlights Fruit of the Loom connection to death threats
Students from across the UK gathered outside the entrance to Fruit of the Loom's UK headquarters in Telford. They were protesting about reports of worker repression at a Honduran factory where trade unionists face death threats, targeted dismissal and the eventual closure of their factory.
Student activists lay outside the HQ to create a theatrical ‘die-in’ whilst giant ‘Fruits of Dooms crushed the bodies of the ‘dead’ workers. The factory is owned by the Fruit of the Loom subsidiary, the Russell Corporation both of whom produce a large proportion of university clothing.
Fruit of the Loom protest
Fruit of the Loom dead workers
Fruit of the Loom crushing workers
The students demonstrated in support of the Honduran workers and demanded that the Russell Corporation are kicked off UK and US campuses in an international boycott of the clothing company. Already 18 US universities have ended their contracts with the Russell Corporation costing Fruit of the Loom an estimated $5 million dollars worth of business.
A November 2008 report by the Worker Rights Consortium documents threats made by the factory’s management to the workers, stating that the factory would be closing because of workers attempts to join a union.
On 27January the Russell Corporation started closing the factory and already 300 workers have lost their jobs, eventually 1,800 workers will be left without their livelihoods. The Russell Corporation’s actions violate the worker’s human rights by denying them freedom of association.
Rhiannon Horsley Reading Student Union President said “The actions of Fruit of the Loom are extremely disturbing and we need to take whatever action is necessary to support the Honduran workers and end the disgusting behavior of Fruit of the Loom”.
John McDonnell MP, who has tabled an Early Day Motion on these abuses, said: “The actions of Fruit of the Loom reflect the exploitation endemic in global capitalism - that many workers are still denied basic trade union rights and that people are confronted with insecurity and uncertainty in every area of their life. Yet, we have seen a worldwide rise in action to resist these injustices particularly amongst young people with waves of university occupations and student protests flooding the UK. This demonstration is yet more evidence of the growing international consciousness amongst young people who are not the apathetic consumerists they are so often made out to be”.
The demonstration is part of People and Planet’s Redress Education campaign against sweatshop use in the education sector.
Is your university, school or college garments made by Fruit of the Loom?
If yes, then action needs to be taken:
- In solidarity with the Jerzees de Honduras workers struggle demand your university, college, school joins the boycott
- Push for your university, college, school to sign a sweat-free policy or adopt a sweat-free motion Passing an motion: http://peopleandplanet.org/redressfashion/campus/passingastudentmotion
Apply pressure to Fruit of the loom through your university, college, school:
- Build student support
- Publically demonstrate against Fruit of the looms labour right abuses
- Gather Petition signatories
- Awareness raising
The boycott of “Fruit of the Loom” is being called until the following demands are met. Russell Corporation and Fruit of the loom must:
- Reverse its decision to close the plant and reinstate workers laid off as part of the closure
- Cease harassment of workers and disciplines managers and supervisors who have been engaged in harassment
- Cease acts of interference with workers decision concerning collective representation
- Issue both a verbal and written statement to the workforce, stating that Russell Athletic and Fruit of the Loom respect workers’ right to engage in associational activities, including joining a union
