Co-op Sound Sourcing - Labour Issues

Exploitation of Labour Issues

Exploitation of labour includes all situations where workers are forced to work under the threat of penalty. This includes bonded labour and involuntary prison labour as well as workers who do not have a choice about whether they work overtime.

Forced labour includes:

making loans to workers (for weddings or any other reason), the terms of which tie the worker to the employment.

withholding workers' ID papers or requiring workers to lodge deposits.

resticting the freedom of workers to leave after giving reasonable notice

Prison labour is a problem when:

the judicial system is unjust.

prisoners do not have a choice about whether they work.

prisoners do not receive payment for work.

Graphic: Labourers from http://www.radiosportfm.com/sportfm/africa/pages/africa%20work%206_jpg.htm

photo copyright http://www.radiosportfm.com

A major UK newspaper featured an article detailing the conditions for a group of people subjected to bonded labour in the UK. The workers were lent money by their employers for their passage from South Africa to the UK. They were then having money deducted from their wages, with interest added, to pay back the loan and to pay for their accommodation. The workers were supplied by Staffmasters to Empire World Trade which supplies and packs fruit for Tesco. Wages and conditions were also an in issue - it was reported that one staff member was left with 78p for an entire week’s work after deductions had been made.
'The Guardian' March 2004

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