10 June, 2013After a year of struggle IndustriALL's Jordanian affiliate, the General Trade Union of Workers in Textile, Garment & Clothing Industries, reached a sectoral agreement with the two employers’ associations: Jordan Garments, Accessories & Textiles Exporters’ Association and the Association of owners of Factories, workshops and Garments.
The agreement stresses the right to organize and non-discrimination of trade unionists at the workplace. It supports the creation of a positive environment for social dialogue.
The agreement also insists on the strengthening of health and safety at the workplace with union participation. The rights of contract workers and migrants who compose the majority of the garment workforce in Jordan are specified in the contract.
Fathallah Omrani, President of the General Trade Union of Workers in Textile, Garment & Clothing Industries said,
this is a historical achievement and will help secure the continuity of textile and garment industry in Jordan while providing better working conditions.
He also said that workers in other sectors should aim at getting similar agreements.
In light of the recent tragedies in garment factories in Bangladesh where the lack of freedom of association and the rights to collective bargaining prevented the unions from denying entrance of workers in unsafe building, this is a timely development.