[asia-apec 161] Eden dispute - Thailand

[AMRC]

EDEN UPDATE # 2		Friday October 11, 1996

EDEN Update will be sent out on a regular basis, while the dispute at the
Eden Group Company continues in Bangkok, Thailand. Please distribute as
widely as possible, or contact this office if you wish to be put on the
distribution list. Eden Update is available via fax, or the text can be sent
via email.

For further information contact TIE - Asia, or CLIST at:
+66-2-586 0158 ph/fax or tieasia at ksc8.th.com

After nearly 4 weeks of negotiations, the Eden  Workers Union is stepping
up its campaign for international solidarity and support, in order to
bring an end to the long-running dispute with the Eden Group Company, based
in Bangkok.

As outlined in the previous issue of Eden Update, Eden Group is an
Austrian-owned TNC, which is part of the export-oriented garment and
textile industry of Thailand.

On the 13th September, 1996, 345 workers at the plant were given notices
of dismissal for the following day. Since that time, the Union has been
fighting for a just compensation for dismissed workers, and is also
tackling broader issues of social security for unemployed workers, and the
use of child labour in Thailand.

Austrian Embassy

On Tuesday, 8 October, the Eden Workers Union organised a rally outside
the Austrian Embassy, requesting the Ambassador mediate negotiations
between the Union and the company. Five attempts to negotiate with the
company before the Labour Ministry, the most recent on 7 October, have
ended in stalemate. The lively march to the Austrian Embassy, along some
of Bangkok's busiest streets attracted a lot of attention with placards
reading "Children belong in school, not in the workplace!", "Austrian
Embassy - Say Yes to Thai Workers Rights!" and  "Austrian companies who
exploit Thai workers - Go Back Home!". 

An effigy of Eden Group Chairman, Adam Lisowski was burnt in front of
Embassy gates. The Austrian Ambassador participated in discussions with
Union representatives, but declined invitations to become involved. 

Company violations

The Eden Workers Union, with support from other labour organisations, has
been conducting an investigation into the company's operations, both in
Thailand and abroad. The Union has photographic documentation of an Eden
Group sub-contractor in Bangkok using child labour, and reports that many
more also engage in this illegal practice.

Investigations reveal that an Eden Group sub-contractor in Bangladesh,
pays its workers US$14 per month, far less than the Government declared
minimum wage of $23.25 per month. There is no paid maternity leave for
women workers, comprising  80 per cent of the company workforce. There is
no canteen, no doctor, no appointment letter, and no union. Workers
receive some holidays, but far short of that stipulated in the labour law
of Bangladesh.  

Union campaign builds

"It is time to step up the campaign", said Union President, Charuay Mauay.

"We have given the company ample opportunity to address our demands, yet
they refuse to negotiate.

"We are dealing with a very rich and very powerful transnational company,
which seems to violate the labour law wherever it goes", she said. 

The Eden campaign has already won international trade union support from
the International Textile, Garment and Leather Workers Federation.

Discussions with the seven-and-a-half million strong organisation will
continue to increase pressure on the company.

WHAT YOU CAN DO!

1.	The Eden Workers Union desperately needs your financial support. A
lot of money has been spent so far running the campaign, and maintaining a
24-hour picketline outside the factory gates for the past four weeks.
Please collect donations from your workplace, union, community or church
group, then contact this office to arrange transfer of funds to the Union.

2.	BOYCOTT the Eden Group products under the following brandnames:

AMERICANWEAR, MICHEL ADAM, BUGS BUNNY AMERICANWEAR,
LOONIE TUNES AMERICANWEAR, MICKEY MOUSE AMERICANWEAR,
MTV'S BEAVIS & BUTTHEAD,   BLOWOUT, BLOWOUT L.A., BLOWOUT KID, LEMON GRASS
NATURAL CONCEPT, POWER RANGERS, SINDY, CASPER, 
CLUB VOUGE, ESSY FIZZY, ALADIN

3.	Write letters of protest to retailers who stock these products,
explaining why you are boycotting.

4.	Write letters of protest to Eden Group explaining why you are
boycotting:

Eden Group - FashionWear Ltd
10 K Vipawadee-Rangsit Road
Don Muang, Bangkok, 10210
THAILAND
Fax: +66-2-551 1651 and 552 2103

5.	Eden's biggest markets are in Europe, particularly Germany. Please
write to your nearest sales office, or all of them! 

Americanwear Europe GMBH
Georg Glock Str. 3
40474 Dusseldorf,
GERMANY
Tel: +49-211-439 340       
Fax:+49-211-424 483

AWA Bekleidungshandelsgesellschaft MBH
Gonzagagasse 3
Vienna 1100 
AUSTRIA
Tel: +43-1-533 6345        
Fax: +43-1-535 0610

Americanwear Europe
1st Floor, 37/38 Margaret St
London WIN 7FA
UNITED KINGDOM                 
Tel: +44-71-493 4442       
Fax: +44-71-493 7378

AB Fougstedt's Palsvarufabrik
Americanwear
Box 17114
Ostra Ronneholmsvagen 13
200 10 Malmo
SWEDEN
Tel: +46-40-977 160        
Fax: +46-40-611 5712

Scemama
36 Rue D'Hauteville
75010 Paris
FRANCE
Tel: +33-1-4523 2825        
Fax: +33-1-4247 1639

Marketing Office           
Tel: +33-1-4280 6940       
Fax: +33-1-4082 9185

Bergamo
ITALY             
Tel: +39-35-361 015        
Fax: +39-35-361 408
Tel: +39-35-593 821                 
Fax: +39-35-593 822

Raymond Bollag & Co
Modeagenture
Talackerstr. 17
8065 Zurich Glattbrugg, 
SWITZERLAND        
Tel: +41-1-829 2100      
Fax: +41-1-829 2099

Euro Trend S.A.
C/Actor Llorens, 7, Bajo
46021 - Valencia
Zaragoza 
SPAIN            
Tel: +34-76-211 4445
      +34-76-393 2193       
Fax: +34-76-211 4445

HONG KONG                  
Tel: +852-2304 0983      
Fax: +852-2343 3626

6.	Ask the local affiliate of the International, Textile, Garment and
Leather Workers Federation to also take action on the campaign.

7.	Write letters of protest to the Thai government:

The Prime Minister
Government House
Nakon Pathom Road
Dusit, Bangkok, 10300
THAILAND

8.	Send letters of Solidarity to the Eden Workers Union
Tel/Fax: + 66-2-586 0158
Email:  tieasia at ksc8.th.com