MARX AND SPARKS

Anti-sweatshop campaigners have called for a demonstration outside London Marks & Spencers this Saturday following an attack on workers and the kidnapping of a union leader at an M&S supplier factory in India.

Last Wednesday (25th), 60 workers were attacked by armed thugs as they arrived for work at the Viva Global factory in Gurgaon. Sixteen women were severely beaten and union leader Anwar Ansari was dragged away. After being beaten and told he would be killed if he returned to the factory he was dumped near his home. He has since rejoined the picket lines.

The attack came after months of campaigning against low wages and the excessive, forced, appalling working conditions by the Garment and Allied Workers Union. One of the attackers has been identified as a labour contractor used by the company to provide workers to the factory.

With the situation still tense, campaign group Labour Behind the Label are now calling for middle class institution M&S to take responsibility for the safety and well-being of the workers that stitch all those sensible blouses and understated jumpers. The demo will be outside M&S at 173 Oxford Street at 11am.

* See www.labourbehindthelabel.org