In addition to the worker rights violations at Gildan's supplier in Haiti, Sewing International SA (SISA), Gildan Mayan Textiles S. de R.L. has launched an anti-union campaign against its workers in Honduras.
In September, 28 workers were fired for being members of the union SITRAGILMAS, part of the Federation of Workers of Honduras (FITH), an affiliate of IndustriALL. The company is refusing to comply with agreements reached with the union, is harassing workers and has made attempts to form a yellow union.
Calling on the parent company in Canada, IndustriALL is urging Gildan to comply with the recommendations of ILO’s Better Work Programme, which has also requested that Gildan reinstate the workers in Haiti.
Gildan is a member of the Fair Labour Association, which has yet to take action against the company's violations.
During an IndustriALL mission to Haiti on 20 and 21 September, attempts to reinstate the union leaders were made during meetings with GOSTTRA, SISA and the labour relations mediator, but Gildan categorically refuses.
Marino Vani, IndustriALL's regional secretary for Latin America and the Caribbean and part of the mission, said that:
IndustriALL is demanding that Gildan Activewear takes urgent action with its suppliers in Haiti and Honduras to reinstate the union leaders who were dismissed in breach of international standards, and that they urgently engage in a genuine social dialogue.