ACTION ALERT!!

Support the Modelama Workers Justice Fund

The Modelama workers are still on strike- it's been a month and they need help with rent and feeding their families!

16 workers of a garment factory are sitting at the factory gate every day from 8.00 AM to 7.00 PM since the 18th February, 2013 demanding resumption of their duties. They are seeking justice from the management of Modelama, a Gurgaon (India) based supplier of apparel to global super brands – Gaps and Next, who is their employer.

It has been a long haul for these hand to mouth workers, who were forcibly unemployed since the last 3 months. Their jobs were lost as punishment for demanding implementation of labor laws in the Factory where they work.

In the absence of a livelihood, the workers are finding it extremely difficult to pay rent and arrange for food for themselves and their families. They have demonstrated a rare determination to end arbitrariness of the management and blatant violation of prevalent labour laws in the Modelama Factory. 13 of the above workers were illegally removed from their jobs and 3 were illegally transferred to other Modelama facilities which are located far away. This was in retaliation, after the workers filed at the local Government authority, for the registration of their 'Modelama Workers' Union.'

The workers union is new and does not have the kind of resources that would be needed to run the current phase of the struggle. As the workers are not inside the factory, they are currently earning no wages. The Management has a nefarious design to 'tire the workers and break their struggle.' Though the workers Union does not have the financial resources as mentioned above, it has a firm resolve to ensure that the struggle continues in Gurgaon. Their struggle is historic as it would lead to workers getting an organized union as their voice, in a region where such platforms are conspicuous by their absence.

In the above scenario, it is people like you whose generous help can be instrumental in facilitating the continuation of the struggle at Modelama.

The Modelama Workers' Struggle for Justice Fund (MWSJF) has been established as a collective contingency fund to see the workers through the current difficult phase. It is managed by the workers themselves. The following are the details regarding the current contingency requirement to ensure that 16 workers and their families can partially meet their very basic expenses.

1) Partial cost for rent for families of workers for 3 months: $ 90 X 16 (families) = $ 1440
2) Partial cost for food for families of workers for 3 months: $ 110 X 16 (families) = $ 1760

It is also acceptable if you wish to adopt 25% / 50% / 75% or 100% of one worker's need of the amounts given above. It is expected that the fund will be built with the contribution of various supporters. You are welcome to call us at various numbers given below and discuss the amount you wish to contribute. 

Contributions to the MWSJF can be made using the following methods:

a) You can wire transfer directly to the SLD FCRA account. Please call (+91-9871953579) or write ( This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. ) to Ms Sandhya. She will help you sending your contribution directly to us for onward distribution to the workers. Indian donors (based in India) can directly send us crossed cheque or demand draft / bankers cheque, drawn in favor of 'Society for Labour and Development' and payable at New Delhi. Our address is: C-23, First Floor (Rear Side), Hauz Khas, New Delhi – 110016. Society for Labor and Development has kindly consented to receive funds on behalf of the workers. No service charges will be deducted for this. Contributions to the fund are exempt from Income Tax, under Section 80G of the Indian Income Tax Act (applicable for resident Indians).

b) It is also possible to send your support to the Movement Strategy Centre (in the US), who will arrange to send the funds to SLD. To send your support using this option, you would need to go to the website of the Movement Strategy Centre: http://movementbuilding.movementstrategy.org/donate and click the 'Donate' button. You will be able to access a donation form. Under MSC Organizations/Projects, select "Garment Workers Support Fund". MSC will collect and do a one-time transfer to SLD to save costs on bank charges.

We would look forward to an enthusiastic response to this path breaking cause of workers of Gurgaon! Thanking you.

In solidarity,
Rajeev Singh Parimal Maya Sudhakar
+91-9811185846 +91-8800241099
This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
(On behalf of Mazdoor Ekta Manch, Gurgaon)

Press Release

 Date: 23rd February, 2013

U.S. Delegation Investigates Human Rights in Gurgaon’s Garment Industry A 12-member U.S. delegation of Human Rights activists is visiting Gurgaon’s garment sector to probe the allegations of violations of human rights of migrant workers including illegal retaliation against workers at Gap supplier Modelama Imports. On 24th February, 2013, the human rights delegation will meet the workers, their family members, and representatives of trade unions to listen and document human rights conditions. The delegation will probe the working and living conditions of migrant workers in Gurgaon and will present its recommendations to National Human Rights Commission (NHRC), India and International Labour Organization (ILO).

The fact-finding report and recommendations will also be sent to GAP, NEXT and other multinational brands who are outsourcing their work to the suppliers at Gurgaon. The suppliers often indulge in unfair labour practices and retaliation, including those prohibited in their contract with the multinational brands. Currently, 16 Modelama workers are daily standing at the factory gate demanding resumption of their duties under the banner of Modelama Workers Union. They were forcibly and arbitrarily removed by the management in retaliation foatr forming a Union and defending labor rights for permanent and contract workers. Modelama Export supplies clothes to multinational brands GAP and NEXT. Their case will come for hearing in the Gurgaon labour court on 28th February.

In this context, visit by the U.S. delegation acquires importance. Workers are demanding that Modelama rescind the illegal, retaliatory terminations and transfers and that Modelama meet and bargain in good faith with their union. Members of the delegation are a part of the United Worker Congress (UWC). The UWC is a strategic alliance of workers that are either by law or practice excluded from the right to organize in the United States. United Worker Congress members actively defend the human and labor rights of workers for of migrant workers, including those who work on the supply chain of multinational corporations.

The United Worker Congress networks include millions of domestic workers, farm workers, day laborers, taxi drivers, workfare, restaurant and guest workers and formerly incarcerated workers who are demanding workers’ rights and political equality. In 2005-06, the UWC members have famously fought for the human rights of more than 500 Indian migrant workers in the U.S. employed by the Signals International.

Public Hearing of Labour and Human Rights Violations

The U.S. Human Rights Delegations

24th February, Sunday Plot No. 105-106, Phase – 1, Udyog Vihar, Gurgaon (Kapashera Border)