The Hindu : National : They miss out on the Olympic spirit

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Thursday, Jun 10, 2004

National

National

They miss out on the Olympic spirit

By Our Staff Correspondent

NEW DELHI, JUNE 9. When the Olympic Torch travels through the Capital tomorrow, members of trade unions will stand near the historic Humayun Tomb carrying placards highlighting the pathetic condition of millions of workers in the sportswear and footwear industries.

The Athens Olympics, the biggest sporting event in the world, begins in August 2004. Besides the organisers, sportspersons and enthusiasts, it has the invaluable contribution of lakhs of workers in the garment and footwear industries, who work for lower than minimum wages, under unsafe working conditions and without any social security cover. "They are even refused the right to organise themselves. These workers are unable to capture the spirit of the Olympics though they toil for it," said R.A. Mital, secretary, Hind Mazdoor Sabha. Taking up the cudgels on behalf of these workers, several central trade unions got together here today. Christened `Play Fair at the Olympics: India Campaign,' it is part of the global campaign launched by Clean Clothes Campaign, Oxfam International and Global Unions. The Asian campaign has identified the empowerment of workers as the most important and effective vehicle in improving working conditions and wage levels. It focusses on the maximisation of workers' involvement to push multinational buyers, retailers and manufacturers to improve working conditions and wages. The campaign organisers demanded the rights of the workers to organise themselves and for living wages, social security, legal working hours and safe working conditions. The appeal was submitted to the Indian Olympic Association and will also be handed over to the Union Sports, Commerce and Labour Ministers.

On Thursday, the organisers will hold a consultation in the Capital and follow it up with rallies in key garment producing centres such as Chennai, Tirupur, Bangalore, Kolkata, Mumbai, Surat, Ludhiana and New Delhi in July. The campaign planned to raise awareness on the rights of the workers and was not against the Olympics. "This campaign is not to be used either by the buyers or any other agency to propose or advocate a boycott of goods. Rather we intend to encourage preference for observance of labour standards and a consistent and long-term engagement among various stakeholders," Mr. Mital said. Brands that outsource from India include Nike, Adidas, Reebok, Fila, Puma and Lotto. Garment manufacturing is a prominent economic activity, providing jobs to over 3.5 million people.

Printer friendly page
Send this article to Friends by E-Mail

National