TRADE UNION RIGHTS IN HONDURAS

Early day motion 833, tabled 23 February 2009 by John McDonnell (Labour). Signed by 33 members.

That this House condemns the reports by the Worker Right Consortium of death threats and blacklists regarding union activities by the management of a factory in Honduras owned by the Fruit of the Loom, a subsidiary of the Russell Corporation; notes the recent closure of the factory which 1,800 workers rely on for their livelihoods allegedly because of workers' attempts to form a union; believes that free and independent trades' unions are a positive force in the world, being vital to democracy and providing protection for working people; is appalled that many workers are not only still denied basic trade union rights but face persecution and victimisation for union activities; reaffirms its commitment to protecting and extending trades' union rights across the world; and urges the Russell Corporation to re-open the factory in Honduras, cease all threats and victimisation of their workers and formally recognise the union.

Signatures by party: Labour 23, Liberal Democrat 4, Independent 2, Conservative 1, Scottish National Party 1, Social Democratic and Labour Party 1, UUP 1.