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Exploited Dalit Girls Produce Garments in India for European and US Markets

Companies have taken steps, but exploitation remains widespread. Big garment brands and retailers have their products made under exploitative and unhealthy conditions by girls in Tamil Nadu, South India. The girls, mostly younger than 18 and from a Dalit (‘outcaste’) background are employed under the Sumangali Scheme. In its worst form, this employment scheme stands for bonded labour, as described in ‘Captured by Cotton’, a report published today by SOMO and the India Committee of the Netherlands (ICN). The report features case studies of four large manufacturers: Eastman Global Clothing Exports, KPR Mill, Bannari Amman, and SSM India. These enterprises produce for Bestseller (e.g. Only, Jack &Jones), C&A, Diesel,GAP, Inditex (e.g. Zara), Marks & Spencer, Primark, Tommy Hilfiger, and many other European and US garment companies. A number of companies have undertaken steps towards the elimination of the Sumangali Scheme, but abusive labour practices remain widespread. More…

Message received by Covalence | Country: India |  Source: SOMO | Company: Marks & Spencer, Inditex | Correspondent: India Committee of the Netherlands

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