Press Releases

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ILRF: Labor Experts Censure “Wrong Turn” in CAFTA Arbitration Decision

04/12/18

A new report from the International Labor Rights Forum (ILRF) says that an arbitral panel’s ruling in the first case ever decided under the labor chapter of a free trade agreement “got it wrong” on workers’ rights violations in Guatemala. Written by three prominent international labor law experts, “Wrong Turn” edits down the 300-page decision into a reader-friendly 30 pages, and provides analysis and commentary at key points showing the arbitral panel’s flawed approach and conclusions.

5 Years After Rana Plaza, What Has Changed?

04/12/18

Just two weeks before the fifth anniversary of the Rana Plaza building collapse – the deadliest disaster in the history of manufacturing – scholars, journalists, human rights advocates, and corporate and labor leaders from the U.S., Europe, and Bangladesh came together at the Ford Foundation in New York City to assess the state of workplace safety and labor rights in Bangladesh’s massive garment industry. The April 10 event, ‘Has Anything Changed Since Rana Plaza?

Thai Court Unjustly Orders Damages from Labor Rights Defender

Andy Hall ordered to pay more than $320,000 in civil damages to Natural Fruit Co.

03/26/18

The International Labor Rights Forum (ILRF) condemns in the strongest possible terms a ruling today by the Prakanong Court in Bangkok, Thailand, ordering Andy Hall to pay 10 million baht ($321,000) in civil damages to the pineapple company Natural Fruit Co Ltd. The case relates to an interview Andy Hall gave to Al-Jazeera English in Myanmar in April 2013. The court also ordered Hall to pay 10,000 baht ($321) for the plaintiff’s legal fees and court fees, including interest of 7.5% from the date the case was filed until the amount is fully paid.

Global chorus of support grows for persecuted Cambodian human rights defender Tola Moeun

03/13/18

Over 100 organizations have now joined the call for an end to the politically motivated prosecution of Cambodian human rights defender Tola Moeun, since a letter to the Cambodian government was published last month.

With 100 Days until Current Accord Ends, Labor Signatories Urge Brands to Sign

02/22/18

With 100 days until the current Bangladesh Accord on Fire and Building Safety expires, garment companies are urged to continue their involvement to create a safe and sustainable garment industry in Bangladesh and to sign its successor, the 2018 Transition Accord.

The 2018 Transition Accord will continue the work of inspecting factories in Bangladesh, identifying safety hazards, and ensuring that they are corrected. As of today 109 garment companies have signed the 2018 Accord, covering more than 2 million workers.

Global Labor Community Calls for End to Prosecution of Tola Moeun

02/19/18

As reported on January 18, 2018, in the Phnom Penh Post, prosecutors in Cambodia have sought criminal charges and an order for pre-trial detention against Tola and two other prominent civil society leaders, Pa Nguon Teang, an advocate for press freedom, and Venerable But Buntenh, an activist monk.

Child Labor Coalition joins calls for cleaner, more responsible jewelry supply chain

02/08/18

The Child Labor Coalition (CLC) today joins nearly 30 NGOs and trade unions from around the world in calling on the jewelry industry to ensure responsible sourcing of precious metals and gems. One million children toil in mines, often extracting metals, including gold and silver, and gems like jade, emeralds, and diamonds. The work is extremely hazardous, putting children at risk of serious injury and death.

Poverty Wages, Toxic Conditions on Palm Oil Plantations Linked to PepsiCo, Nestlé

Labor abuses persist on RSPO-certified palm oil plantations after being first exposed nearly a year and a half ago

11/27/17

A report released by Rainforest Action Network (RAN), OPPUK––an Indonesian labor rights advocacy organization––and International Labor Rights Forum (ILRF) titled, “The Human Cost of Conflict Palm Oil Revisited: How PepsiCo, Banks, and the Roundtable on Sustainable Palm Oil Perpetuate Indofood’s Worker Exploitation,” reveals the findings of field investigations and worker interviews completed on three palm oil plantations owned and operated by Indonesian food giant Indofood, the sole p

Will H&M deliver on its promise to pay a living wage in 2018?

11/25/17

Four years ago today, H&M made a bold promise that, if kept, would mean a game changer for the industry. On 25 November 2013, the company vowed to pay what H&M calls a ‘fair living wage’ to the garment workers in its supply chain by 2018. On the fourth anniversary of H&M’s historic statement, with 2018 just around the corner, Clean Clothes Campaign and global partners are greatly anticipating the moment next year when every garment worker that stitches clothes for H&M will receive a living wage.

ILRF Calls for New ILO Convention to Address Gender-Based Violence at Work

11/15/17

A policy brief released today by the International Labor Rights Forum urges governments, employers and worker organizations to support a new International Labour Organization (ILO) Convention and Recommendation to address gender-based violence in the world of work.

A Call to Action from Workers in the Global Banana Industry

11/09/17

As the banana world gathers in Geneva this week for the Third Conference of the World Banana Forum (FAO), small scale farmers and trade unions representing plantation workers are warning that without fundamental changes in the way that bananas are produced, the world’s favorite fruit will disappear from supermarkets shelves.

Human Rights, Labor, Union and Public Interest Groups Call on First Daughter to Pledge Improvements for Workers Making Her Brand’s Clothes in China

11/01/17

As Ivanka Trump travels to Asia to speak about what she terms “women’s empowerment” at the fourth annual World Assembly for Women in Tokyo this week, a coalition of labor, consumer, union and human rights organizations today criticized her hypocrisy in ignoring the plight of workers who make the clothing marketed under her name.

As Battle Over NAFTA Investor Protections Heats Up, Trinational Coalition Delivers 400,000 Petitions Demanding Elimination of Corporate Rights and Tribunals

Investor-State Dispute Settlement Becomes Key Measure of Whether NAFTA Renegotiations Will Benefit Working People or Expand Corporate Power

10/11/17

Growing public opposition to the expansive corporate privileges at the heart of the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) took center stage as the fourth round of NAFTA talks began today in Washington, D.C. U.S., Mexican and Canadian civil society organizations delivered more than 400,000 petitions demanding that NAFTA’s expansive corporate rights and protections and Investor-State Dispute Settlement (ISDS) be eliminated during renegotiations.

Brands must speak out about violations in Cambodia

10/03/17

Labour rights organizations are deeply concerned about the closing of democratic and civil society space in Cambodia. This trend has recently escalated with alarming high-profile incidents of repression against political leaders, non-governmental organizations, and independent media.

Migrant workers indicted as Thai Prime Minister visits United States

Thai use of criminal defamation draws outcry in advance of state visit

10/03/17

Thai Prime Minister Prayuth Chan-ocha met with U.S. President Donald Trump at the White House yesterday, the same week 14 migrant workers in Thailand will be indicted on charges of criminal defamation and giving false information to public officials. The charges stem from a complaint to the National Human Rights Commission of Thailand (NHRCT) in which the workers alleged egregious abuses by their employer, Thammakaset Company Limited, on a poultry farm that exported chicken overseas. The workers are scheduled to be indicted October 4, 2017, in Don Muang Magistrate's Court in Bangkok.

Migrant workers prosecuted for reporting exploitation in Thailand

Global coalition calls for end to prosecutorial persecution with criminal defamation law

09/19/17

(BANGKOK) – Prosecution of migrant workers and their advocates under criminal defamation laws for reporting violations of Thailand’s labor law violates Thailand’s international legal obligations and business’ obligations to respect human rights under the U.N.

Why is the Bangladesh Government Scapegoating the Victims of Deadly Boiler Explosion?

International Labor Rights Groups Criticize Criminal Complaint Against Deceased Workers at Multifabs Ltd and Call for Thorough Investigation and Full Compensation for Victims

07/06/17

According to media reports, police have filed a criminal complaint against ten people following the July 3rd explosion at the Multifabs Ltd. facility. The complaint accuses the individuals of negligence of duty, injury and murder. The only three individuals named in the complaint were killed in the explosion. An inquiry into the causes of the explosion has yet to be completed.

Bangladesh Factory Explosion Shows Need to Expand Accord Inspections to Boilers

Labor Rights Groups Reiterate Call for Swift Action

07/04/17

The following is the statement of the Witness Signatories of the Accord on Fire and Building Safety in Bangladesh – Clean Clothes Campaign, International Labor Rights Forum, Worker Rights Consortium and Maquila Solidarity Network – concerning the boiler explosion at Multifabs Ltd.

Statement of the Bangladesh Accord's Witness Signatories on the 3-Year Renewal

06/29/17

Today, the global union federations Industriall and UNI announced agreement with brand and retailer representatives on the language of a renewed Accord on Fire and Building Safety in Bangladesh.

Thai ranking unchanged in anti-trafficking report, despite limited progress

Government response has not yet improved situation for migrant workers

06/27/17

The U.S. State Department has left Thailand on the Tier 2 Watchlist, just above the lowest ranking of Tier 3, in its annual Trafficking in Persons (TIP) Report, despite clear evidence that migrant workers remain highly vulnerable to human trafficking and that Thai legal institutions are failing to adequately protect victims or prosecute offenders.

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