Workers in Fashion Express, a garment export house in Udyog Vihar, Gurgaon, Haryana have been in struggle for the past two years, against harassment and discrimination by the management. They have been locked out illegally by the management, without prior notice as required by law, from 23 rd September 2007. The workers are however determined to fight for justice.

The company employs about 100 permanent workers and nearly another 100 on contract. The workers work six to seven days per week, from 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. While the permanent workers are paid about Rs.5,000-6,000 per month, the contract workers are paid Rs.120-150 per day.

According to reports received by People's Voice from the Fashion Express Karamchari Sangathan, the management made every effort to prevent the workers from forming their own union, which was finally registered on June 13, 2006, after much struggle. The management has been following a discriminatory policy in the disbursal of bonus and other benefits, favouring certain workers, in order to break their unity. Cases of sexual harassment of the women workers (who constitute nearly 50% of the total workforce) by the factory owner have been reported. When the union filed a case against the management and the case came up for hearing in a local Gurgaon court, in November 2006, the affected women were forced by the management, through threats and intimidation, to retract their complaint and accept an out-of-court settlement. At the same time, the union president, general secretary and treasurer as well as another union worker were terminated. 4 women workers who had complained of harassment were also suspended.

In the face of continuing harassment and persecution, 40 women employees sat on dharna on the shopfloor for 19 days, from March 21 to April 8, forcing the management to reach a settlement with the union. However, the union has alleged that the management violated the terms of the settlement, which included taking back all the terminated and suspended employees. Many of them have not yet been reinstated.

Meanwhile, at a meeting of the union office bearers and the owners of the company in July 2007, the latter clearly stated that they were planning to shut down the factory. The union presented the terms of settlement, including VRS, settlement of dues, legal compensation, etc. Subsequently, the management put up a notice declaring that the workers were spreading false rumours, that they had no intention of closing down the company but were ‘trying to revive it’.

According to the workers, they have received several indications that the management is planning to close down the factory. After July 2007, production has stopped, the owners and managers have stopped coming to the company, equipment and stocks have been moved out, company funds are being diverted elsewhere, production is being in done in sweatshops outside, etc. The factory premises are never cleaned, drinking water and toilet facilities have been closed down and the management is deliberately creating conditions to justify a lockout in the immediate future.

Since the workers have not received their wages since July 2007, they are in extremely dire financial condition and many have been forced to stop sending their children to school. After they were locked out, the workers determination to fight for their rights has got stronger. As we go to the press, the workers have mounted a 24 hour vigil outside the factory gate in order to prevent the management from taking out machinery.

People's Voice condemns the injustice being done to the workers of Fashion Express and fully supports their struggle.