FILA—Be Fair to Indonesian Workers

On 11 February 2005, 3,600 men and women working at the PT Tae Hwa factory, a FILA sportswear manufacturer, in Indonesia returned from a public holiday to find that the factory had closed, leaving them jobless. Employees were informed that the company had sold all its equipment, but no other reliable information was given.

For more than ten years, FILA sportswear brand was the major customer of the factory, accounting for 70-90% of the factory's production. According to independent monitors, workers in the factory experienced sexual harassment, verbal abuse, denial of trade union rights, impossibly high work quotas, and compulsory overtime without fair compensation. Nearly 80% of the workers employed in the factory were women.

The cause of the factory's closure remains unclear, and FILA is refusing to discuss its part in the closure, despite a joint letter from the Clean Clothes Campaign and the International Confederation of Free Trade Unions (ICFTU) requesting them to do so.

On 28 March, the Indonesian Department of Manpower recommended that the Tae Hwa workers be compensated for the loss of their jobs according to Indonesian law. The following two days, 2,500 workers from the factory held a demonstration to bring attention to their plea. FILA has so far refused to assist the workers in recovering their jobs or compensate them accordingly.

Proposed Letter:

Cut and paste and use the letter below as a guide in writing your own letter of protest to FILA. Feel free to use the letter as is, or adapt it as you wish with additional information, such as whether you are a consumer of FILA products.

Please send your letter to FILA's Chief Marketing Officer at the company office in New York.

Robert Erb
Chief Marketing Officer
Sports Brand International/FILA
8 West 40th Street, 14th Floor
New York, NY 10018 USA

June 22, 2005

Dear Mr. Erb,

I am writing to protest the treatment of approximately 3,600 employees of the PT Tae Hwa factory in Tangerang, Indonesia. The factory closed suddenly on 11 February 2005, and the women and men who worked there have not received the compensation due to them under Indonesian law.

PT Tae Hwa producted FILA products for 11 years and hence FILA has the responsibility of explaining their role in the closure and guaranteeing workers their just compensation. In order that I and my family and friends can continue to respect FILA's brand, I request FILA provide the following:

· Clarification on FILA's role in the closure of the Pt Tae Hwa factory.
· An assurance that these workers will receive their back pay and severance pay, as stipulated under Indonesian law.
· Evidence of FILA playing an active role in assisting these workers to find new jobs.

I understand that organisations such as the Clean Clothes Campaign and the International Council for Free Trade Unions have sent several letters to FILA requesting action, however FILA has not yet responded. I ask that you immediately address this matter and accept FILA's responsibility for the just and equitable treatment of the Indonesian Tae Hwa workers.

I look forward to hearing from you regarding action taken in this matter.

Sincerely,

[Name]

© Union Aid Abroad - APHEDA 2003.

Last Modified: Wednesday, 16-Nov-2005 16:05:18 EST
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