India: workers forced to give up their pregnancy

the report is scathing. The international alliance of unions Asia Floor Wage (Afwa) denounces the conditions in which some workers work in Cambodia and India. The employees, who make the clothes for the international brand H&M, would decide to give up their pregnancy, or even to perform clandestine abortions for fear of losing their jobs.
Afwa notes in particular that in eleven Cambodian factories out of twelve, workers “have witnessed situations of termination of contract during pregnancy, or even been victims”. Another damning element, “all 50 workers in Indian factories interviewed also said that it was common for women to be made redundant during their pregnancy.” This discrimination is described at length by the Afwa, which has collected the testimonies of 251 women.

Precarious employment

In Cambodia, for example, where precarious employment dominates, factories only sign contracts ranging from one to three months maximum. As a result, “as soon as someone leaves the ranks – by taking a day off sick, refusing overtime or arriving a little late – he risks not having his contract renewed”, relates the magazine. Broady. A double penalty for the employees since they will resort to clandestine abortions, lack of access to care and lack of education.

Sexual harassment in the workplace is also important. Nine workers out of twelve had to face this type of violence.
Salaries are particularly low: employees receive 140 dollars (126 euros) per month. In an interview with Broadly magazine, union activist Anannya Bhatta denounces the hypocrisy advocated by the international brand H&M, which is ideologically conscientious: “Apparently, H&M is very present and receptive, they answer questions and emails. But they are sorely lacking in transparency. They refuse to say in which factories they are testing pilot projects, and are not very cooperative when it comes to detailing how they plan to implement decent wages ”.