H&M supplier agrees to reinstate fired workers

AMSTERDAM – An Indian H&M supplier has agreed to reinstate more than 1,250 workers after claims it violated labour standards when it laid them off last summer. Unions have now signed an agreement with Gokaldas Exports whereby the company recognises the local union and reinstates all 1,257 workers – mostly women – who were fired. The agreement has been signed with the Garment and Textile Workers’ Union (GATWU), an affiliate of Industriall Global Union.

In June last year, Gokaldas Exports laid off 1,200 workers at its only unionised factory, Euro Clothing Company 2 (ECC-2). Gokaldas Exports owns 20 factories and management announced a lay-off of all workers at its only factory with union membership. Unions also claimed management of Gokaldas Exports had been filmed harassing workers to resign.