- Член од
- 28 март 2006
- Мислења
- 17.664
- Поени од реакции
- 12.060
Еве го процесот. Студија од германски, австриски и швајцарски фирми за работна и заштитна облека.
SWISS, AUSTRIAN AND GERMAN WORKWEAR SUPPLIERS
PROFIT FROM MACEDONIAN WORKERS’ POVERTY AND FEAR
The study, which this report is based on, was commissioned by Berne Declaration and the Clean Clothes Campaign (CC). The Republic of Macedonia was selected because a survey among Swiss workwear companies showed that this country is an important sourcing country for workwear. Additionally similar studies in Germany and the Netherlands have confirmed these findings.
Executive Summary
Clothing exported from the Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia (RoM) is of high quality. Workers feel responsible for their work, its quality and timely delivery. However, we found numerous violations of human rights, ILO1 core working standards and other conventions of the ILO and Macedonian labour law. These are the most disturbing issues found in the factories investigated:
- Poverty wages were found across the board. The workers interviewed receive on average 19% of a living wage. Their wages are often even below the legal minimum wage. These low wage levels are reflected in the living conditions of workers who subsidize their wages with their own subsistence agriculture.
- Overtime was found to be regular and not on a voluntary basis.
- Short-term labour contracts of 3-6 months are used excessively; workers are therefore denied benefits and future perspectives.
- There was no union or workers’ representatives in any of the factories investigated.
- The health of workers is sometimes affected extremely negatively.
Workers in the clothing industry toil under inhuman conditions. Seamstresses’ work is hard and extremely exhausting. Many of them are the breadwinner in their families. The 2008 production crisis was used to exert even more pressure on workers with the result that workers now accept any working conditions.
The overwhelming majority of Macedonian people literally struggle for survival on a daily basis. Working in the clothing industry does
not offer an escape from this struggle. Poverty and the fear of losing their work and hence their existence deter people from raising their voice and standing up for their rights. In the Republic of Macedonia there is also extreme exploitation of seamstresses for maximum profits. The legal minimum wage is even lower than in China and Indonesia. The wages actually paid out and a basic living wage are as far apart as they are in Bangladesh. The clothing industry in the Republic of Macedonia is one of the most important pillars of the economy regarding employment, exports and GDP. However, the sector does not offer future prospects and a decent life, but firmly embeds poverty and fear.
SWISS, AUSTRIAN AND GERMAN WORKWEAR SUPPLIERS
PROFIT FROM MACEDONIAN WORKERS’ POVERTY AND FEAR
The study, which this report is based on, was commissioned by Berne Declaration and the Clean Clothes Campaign (CC). The Republic of Macedonia was selected because a survey among Swiss workwear companies showed that this country is an important sourcing country for workwear. Additionally similar studies in Germany and the Netherlands have confirmed these findings.
Executive Summary
Clothing exported from the Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia (RoM) is of high quality. Workers feel responsible for their work, its quality and timely delivery. However, we found numerous violations of human rights, ILO1 core working standards and other conventions of the ILO and Macedonian labour law. These are the most disturbing issues found in the factories investigated:
- Poverty wages were found across the board. The workers interviewed receive on average 19% of a living wage. Their wages are often even below the legal minimum wage. These low wage levels are reflected in the living conditions of workers who subsidize their wages with their own subsistence agriculture.
- Overtime was found to be regular and not on a voluntary basis.
- Short-term labour contracts of 3-6 months are used excessively; workers are therefore denied benefits and future perspectives.
- There was no union or workers’ representatives in any of the factories investigated.
- The health of workers is sometimes affected extremely negatively.
Workers in the clothing industry toil under inhuman conditions. Seamstresses’ work is hard and extremely exhausting. Many of them are the breadwinner in their families. The 2008 production crisis was used to exert even more pressure on workers with the result that workers now accept any working conditions.
The overwhelming majority of Macedonian people literally struggle for survival on a daily basis. Working in the clothing industry does
not offer an escape from this struggle. Poverty and the fear of losing their work and hence their existence deter people from raising their voice and standing up for their rights. In the Republic of Macedonia there is also extreme exploitation of seamstresses for maximum profits. The legal minimum wage is even lower than in China and Indonesia. The wages actually paid out and a basic living wage are as far apart as they are in Bangladesh. The clothing industry in the Republic of Macedonia is one of the most important pillars of the economy regarding employment, exports and GDP. However, the sector does not offer future prospects and a decent life, but firmly embeds poverty and fear.
Последно уредено: