PUMA: l'indignazione del CAT - Clean Clothes Campaign

["Ersilia Monti" <ersilia.monti at mclink.it>]

PUMA IN MESSICO: L'INDIGNAZIONE DEL CAT - Clean Clothes Campaign

Il Centro de Apoyo al Trabajador (CAT), organizzazione che assiste i
lavoratori della Matamoros in Messico, respinge le conclusioni contenute nel
rapporto della Puma (tradotto nel mio precedente messaggio), pone serie
critiche al metodo seguito nelle indagini e denuncia la campagna di
diffamazione condotta nei suoi confronti. La Clean Clothes Campaign tedesca
ha scritto a Puma per denunciare due gravi scorrettezze: aver filmato i
lavoratori durante le interviste, aver trasmesso nelle conclusioni del
rapporto la falsa impressione che aderire al sindacato di comodo Sindicato
Francisco Villa de la CTM equivalga ad esercitare la liberta' di
associazione. La campagna tedesca ha chiesto a Puma di incontrare un
rappresentante del CAT che sara' in Germania in questi giorni. Il 25
febbraio si terra' una conferenza stampa a Colonia.

Sotto trovate la traduzione della dichiarazione del CAT e un messaggio da
inviare a Puma. I messaggi gia' inviati sono tantissimi e occorre che ne
arrivino ancora molti.


DICHIARAZIONE DEL CENTRO DE APOYO AL TRABAJADOR (CAT)

Atlixco, Puebla

12 Febbraio 2003

 Egregio dr. Reiner Hengstmann,

Di fronte alla societa' civile e al mondo intero respingiamo con fermezza
le conclusioni contenute nel vostro rapporto pubblico! Ci siamo incontrati
con voi oltre una settimana fa nella citta' di Puebla, in Messico, in un'
atmosfera illusoria di fiducia e comprensione reciproca. In quella sede ci
avete comunicato l'intenzione di svolgere una serie di interviste alla
Matamoros Garment S.A. allo scopo di raccogliere indicazioni utili in
relazione alle denunce di sfruttamento del lavoro e di violazione dei
diritti umani e sindacali. In risposta alle nostre contestazioni circa le
gravi intimidazioni subite dai lavoratori, ci avete assicurato che avreste
condotto un'indagine e, una volta terminate le interviste, avreste reso
pubblici i risultati, ma non prima di esservi consultati con noi.

Invece che cosa e' accaduto? Avete dato pubblicita' alle vostre conclusioni
senza consultarci, dopo averci per giunta negato una risposta alla e-mail
con la quale, la mattina successiva al nostro incontro, vi illustravamo in
dettaglio il  nostro punto di vista circa la necessita' di sottoporre i
risultati a una verifica indipendente. Nel messaggio esprimevamo la nostra
netta preoccupazione che venissero scelte modalita' non idonee per
intervistare i lavoratori e suggerivamo che queste venissero, come minimo,
condotte in luoghi separati dalla fabbrica al fine di garantire la
necessaria obiettivita'. Abbiamo insistito su questo punto senza ricevere
risposta.

Avete tradito la nostra fiducia e l'accordo in base al quale ci saremmo
astenuti dal riferire del nostro incontro a John Whittinghill (direttore
della Matamoros, ndt.), ad altre organizzazioni, o alla stampa, finche' le
indagini non fossero concluse e i risultati ci fossero comunicati prima
della loro diffusione pubblica.

Ed ecco che questa mattina avete inviato a noi e a tutto il mondo i
"risultati" delle indagini svolte dalla Puma. Avete citato il sito web della
Matamoros http://www.matamorosgarment.com/payment), dove sono pubblicati i
livelli salariali degli operai, che mostra come una giornata di lavoro di 10
ore sia pagata non piu' di 39 pesos. Il salario minimo nella "Zona C" e' di
40,30 pesos al giorno, mentre il salario minimo di un cucitore nella
categoria professionale e' di 52,10 pesos per una giornata lavorativa di 8
ore. (http://www.conasami.gob.mx/indice.htm). Ovviamente la maggioranza
degli operai sono cucitori, il che significa che dovrebbero essere
classificati nella categoria professionale, cio' che attualmente non
avviene.

Ci chiediamo quindi che tipo di indagine abbiate svolto. E' evidente che non
siete a conoscenza dei minimi salariali messicani e state di fatto violando
le leggi del lavoro nazionali. Respingiamo fermamente le vostre
dichiarazione cariche di menzogne che offendono tutti i lavoratori, e quelli
della Matamoros Garment in particolare. State aggiungendo ingiustizia alle
tante perpetrate nei confronti dei lavoratori messicani, specie di quelli
che lavorano nell'industria per l'esportazione, che fa di loro persone
invisibili e ignorate dal mondo.

Le vostre dichiarazioni testimoniano con ogni evidenza la mancanza di
scrupoli, il completo disinteresse e l'avversione che caratterizzano il
vostro comportamento verso i lavoratori, senza contare la bassezza morale di
chi mente sapendo di mentire quando afferma che il CAT approva i risultati
delle vostre indagini.

Non abbiamo mai ritrattato e non ritratteremo mai le denunce che abbiamo
fatto in merito alle condizioni dei lavoratori, a Puma, alla situazione
specifica della Matamoros.

Non vi abbiamo autorizzato a usare il nome delle nostra organizzazione che
avete infangato per servire i vostri scopi. Nel farlo avete diffamato e
macchiato il nome dell'intera classe lavoratrice.

In considerazione di tutto questo, ci vediamo costretti a denunciare Puma
alla societa' civile, alla stampa nazionale e internazionale e a tutto il
mondo, come un'impresa non degna di fiducia che adotta comportamenti
antisindacali.

L'unico modo che avete per riabilitarvi e' ritornare alla Matamoros Garment,
parlare con John Whittinghill e con il governo dello stato del Puebla;
riconoscere che sono stati perpetrati abusi ai danni dei lavoratori e
garantire che essi possano scegliere liberamente la propria organizzazione
sindacale senza subire intimidazioni o ritorsioni; cancellare il contratto
di protezione siglato con il Sindicato Francisco Villa del CTM. La lotta
continua!

CAT - Centro de Apoyo al Trabajador



SCRIVIAMO NUOVAMENTE A PUMA (sintesi: siamo delusi dei risultati delle
vostre indagini. Il CAT avanza serie critiche circa il metodo ma anche l'
assenza di consultazioni. Disapproviamo inoltre le riprese filmate dei
lavoratori intervistati e l'informazione fuorviante secondo cui iscriversi a
un sindacato di comodo equivalga a esercitare la liberta' di associazione.
Vi chiediamo nuovamente di ripristinare gli ordini alla Matamoros , di
garantire il rispetto del vostro codice di condotta e delle convenzioni OIL
e di accettare verifiche indipendenti con l'inclusione dei lavoratori e di
loro organizzazioni di fiducia come il CAT.  Vi chiediamo di riprendere il
dialogo con la direzione della Matamoros e del governo dello stato del
Puebla, di riconoscere le violazioni subite dai lavoratori e di garantire
loro il diritto di scegliere il proprio sindacato cancellando il contratto
di protezione siglato con il Sindicato Francisco Villa de la CTM.)


Mr. Reiner Hengstmann

Global Head Environmental and Social Affaire

PUMA AG

e-mail: reiner.hengstmann at puma.com


Ogg.: Respect workers' rights at Matamoros Garment factory - Mexico


Dear Mr. Hengstmann,

We consider the outcome of your investigation at the Matamoros Garment
factory as extremely disappointing. The CAT not only rejects the conclusions
reached by PUMA but also has very serious criticisms about the way the
investigation was conducted and about the fact that results were not
discussed first with the CAT as parties agreed to do. In addition, we
strongly disagree with your approach to investigation, such as the use of
videotaping of interviewed workers, and with your approach to information,
such as giving the false impression that joining the CTM amounts to freedom
of association.

We call upon you once more to resume production at the Matamoros facility
and ensure that your code and internationally recognized labour standards
are respected. A system of independently verifying compliance with these
standards needs to be set up which includes workers and their organizations,
such as CAT. A corrective action plan has to be developed and PUMA must
ensure that it is implemented. An important first step would be the formal
recognition of the free trade union SITEMAG.

We ask you to talk with the Matamoros management and the Government of the
State of Puebla to recognize the violations against the workers and give
them the opportunity to freely choose a union without company harassment or
pressure, and terminate the protection contract signed with the Sindicato
Francisco Villa of the CTM.

We hope to be soon hearing good news from you in this respect.

Sincerely,

(nome, cognome, eventuale organizzazione di appartenenza)


--------------------

Per essere esclusi dalla lista o ricevere informazioni sulla Clean Clothes
Campaign, inviate un messaggio a :

ersilia.monti at mclink.it



Ersilia Monti

(Coordinamento lombardo nord/sud del mondo - Rete di Lilliput Nodo di
Milano)

P.le Governo Provvvisorio 6

20127 Milano

tel.02-26140345

email: ersilia.monti at mclink.it

-------------------


----- Original Message -----
From: "Monti Ersilia - Biblioteca d'Ateneo" <ersilia.monti at unimib.it>
To: <ersilia.monti at mclink.it>
Sent: Friday, February 14, 2003 8:25 AM
Subject: I: [cleanclothes] negative result from PUMA investigation at
Matamaros


>
>
> -----Messaggio originale-----
> Da: owner-cleanclothes at xs4all.nl [mailto:owner-cleanclothes at xs4all.nl]
> Inviato: giovedì 13 febbraio 2003 14.20
> Oggetto: [cleanclothes] negative result from PUMA investigation at
> Matamaros
>
>
> Dear all,
>
> Last week we reported to you that Dr. Hengstmann from PUMA undertook an
> investigation into the situation at the Matamaros factory in Mexico.
> Unfortunately the outcome of the investigation is extremely disappointing.
>
> The CAT not only rejects the conclusions reached by PUMA but also has very
> serious criticisms about the way the investigation was conducted and about
> the fact that results were not discussed first with the CAT as parties
> agreed to do.
>
> Please find below CATs statement about this, and below that the report
from
> PUMA.
>
> The German CCC has already written to PUMA about this and strongly
> complained about among others the use of videotaping of interviewed
workers
> and about giving the false impression that joining the CMT amounts to
> freedom of association.
>
> They further repeat that PUMA should resume production at this facility
and
> ensure that their code and internationally recognized labour standards are
> respected. A system for indepently verifying compliance with these
> standards needs to be set up  which includes workers and their
> organizations, such as CAT. A corrective action plan has to be developed
> and PUMA must ensure that it's implemented.  An important first step here
> is the formal recognition of the free trade union SITEMAG.
>
> A representative from CAT will travel to Germany next week invited by the
> German CCC. On February 25 a press conference will be held in Cologne, and
> the CCC has requested PUMA in the above mentioned letter to meet with the
> representative from CAT on the 24th. Obviously the results of that meeting
> will be communicated at the pressconference.
>
> Please send a message to PUMA today supporting the demands outlined above
> and stressing that Puma must talk with management (John Whittinghill) and
> the Government of the State of Puebla to recognize the violations against
> the workers and give them the opportunity to freely choose a union without
> company harassment or pressure, and terminate the protection contract
> signed with the Sindicato Francisco Villa of the CTM. See also the
> statement from CAT below.
>
> We have gathered from the messages send by PUMA how many of you are
> supporting this case, it is essential that you keep the pressure up!!
>
> The adress is:
> Dr. Reiner Hengstmann | Global Head Environmental & Social Affairs | PUMA
AG
> Fon: +49-9132-81-2398 | Fax: +49-9132-81-2281 | eMail:
> reiner.hengstmann at puma.com
> [ Address: Wuerzburger Strasse 13 - 91074  Herzogenaurach - Germany ]
>
> *************************************************************
> Statement from CAT
> (Adjunto está el original en el español.)
> (Translated from Spanish.)
>
> Atlixco, Puebla
> February 12, 2003
>
> DR. REINER HENGSTMANN:
>
> We totally reject the information you put forth in your public statement
> before the organizations and eyes of the world!
>
> Just over a week ago we met with you in the city of Puebla, México, in an
> atmosphere of "apparent" trust and mutual understanding. You notified us
> that you were going to conduct interviews at the factory in order to gain
> some indication regarding the circumstances of worker exploitation and
> human and labor rights violations at Matamoros Garment S.A. de C.V.
>
> We expressed our disagreement about the way workers are being intimidated
> at the factory. You explained that you would undertake an investigation
> and, when finished with the interviews, make the contents and results
> public only after consulting with us first.
>
> So what happened?
>
> You made the results of the investigation public without contacting us
> beforehand, and, what's more, the morning after our meeting in Puebla we
> sent you an e-mail to expand on our point about independent monitoring of
> your investigation and we never received a response from you.
>
> We clearly expressed the CAT's concern about your approach to the worker
> interviews and suggested that, at the very least, they should be conducted
> away from the factory to maintain their objectivity. We insisted on this
> and you never answered us.
>
> You broke whatever climate of trust might have existed and you betrayed us
> and the supposed agreement in which you asked us not to say anything about
> the meeting to John Whittinghill, other organizations, or the press until
> you
> concluded your investigation at the factory and let us know the results
> before publicly releasing
> them.
>
> Then finally this morning you sent us and the rest of the world the
> "results" from PUMA's investigation. You mentioned Matamoros Garment's
> website (http://www.matamorosgarment.com/payment) where workers' wages are
> published showing that they earn no more than 39.00 pesos for a ten-hour
> workday. The minimum wage in "Zone C" is 40.30 pesos per day, while the
> minimum wage for a factory sewer in the professional category is 52.10
> pesos for an eight-hour workday (http://www.conasami.gob.mx/indice.htm).
> Obviously the majority of the workers are sewers, which means that they
> ought to be classified in the professional category, which is currently
not
> how it is.
>
> So we ask ourselves what type of investigation was this? You clearly are
> not familiar with the minimum wages in México and are in fact violating
> Mexican law. We totally reject your statement full of offensive lies to
all
> workers, specifically those of Matamoros Garment.
>
> You are contributing to all of the same injustices that Mexican workers
> already fall victim to, especially in the maquiladora industry, where they
> remain unseen and pass unnoticed before the eyes of the world.
>
>  From your statement we can clearly attest to your lack of ethics, your
> complete disinterest and unwillingness to help workers, and the poor moral
> character it takes to lie and say the CAT agrees with any of your
> investigation's results.
>
> We have never retracted, nor will we ever, the statements we've made about
> the working conditions, PUMA, or the situation at Matamoros
> Garment.
>
> We did not permit you to use the name of our organization so you could
> simply tarnish it to suit your needs. Doing so devalues and stains the
> name of the whole working class.
>
> Because of this, we find ourselves obliged to denounce PUMA as a company
> that no one can trust and as a union-busting corporation to all
> organizations, the national and international press, and the rest of the
> world.
>
> Therefore the only way that PUMA can exculpate itself is by assuring that
> the firm will return to Matamoros Garment, talk with John Whittinghill
> and the Government of the State of Puebla to recognize the violations
> against the workers and give them the opportunity to freely choose a
> union without company harassment or pressure, and terminate the protection
> contract signed with the Sindicato Francisco Villa of the CTM.
>
> The struggle continues!
>
>
> CAT
> Centro de Apoyo al Trabajador
>
> **************************************************************
>
> Letter from Dr. Hengstmann send on february 12 to CAT and organizations
and
> individuals that supported the campaign.
>
> Dear Madam, Dear Sir:
>
> I am writing with regard to the recent allegations that have surfaced
> cornering PUMA's operations and association with Matamoros Garment,
Mexico.
>
> As I am sure you understand, PUMA is deeply troubled by the above. Our
> concern extends well past ensuring that PUMA's brand and image remain
> untarnished and true to the ideals set forth in our Corporate Code of
> Conduct, as we were very disturbed by the alleged injustices experienced
by
> the employees of the Matamoros Garment Factory. In light of the above,
PUMA
> and its sourcing Subsidiary, World Cat America (WCA), have engaged in a
> fact-finding mission aimed at clarifying the details of the situation at
> hand. Our efforts to uncover the details of these alleged injustices
> include flying three individuals from our corporate headquarters to
Mexico,
> as well as documenting and filming all interviews and interactions.
>
> To ensure that there is equal understanding of the events that transpired
> regarding the alleged injustices, I would like to recap the major
> milestones in PUMA's and Matamoros Garment's relationship.
>
> PUMA is a global company that markets and distributes sports footwear and
> apparel to an international audience. PUMA is not a producer of these
items
> and relies solely on contract production in approximately 28 countries to
> fulfill its production needs.
>
> - On July 29, 2002 PUMA and WCA, via a US sourcing agent, engaged in a
> contractual relationship with Matamoros Garment for the production of PUMA
> apparel. In this relationship PUMA became a minor customer of the
Matamoros
> Garment Factory.
>
> - In accordance with PUMA standards, the Matamoros Garment factory was
> audited on September 11, 2002. PUMA's auditing standards are in accord
with
> those laid out in SA 8000, as well as those of the International Labour
> Organization. The role of PUMA's audits is to ensure that strict social
and
> environmental policies are practiced. More importantly these polices are
> openly displayed within the factory to ensure that all employees are
> familiar with         them.
>
> - The results of the audit, which covered work conditions, employee
> treatment, and adherence to international standards, among others was
> satisfactory.
> - In the beginning of October WCA was informed that Matamoros Garment
> Factory's largest customer had filed for bankruptcy. Subsequent
discussions
> with the factory owners and the sourcing agent confirmed that the factory
> would no longer be able to finish and deliver the required PUMA goods on
> time.
>
> - In agreement with the factory owner and the US sourcing agent, PUMA
> desisted from placing new orders with Matamoros Garment, as their ability
> to produce was jeopardized due to the ongoing financial constraints.
>
> - Starting in the middle of October 2002, and continuing through January
> 2003, PUMA's US sourcing agent made payments beyond its contractual
> obligations to Matamoros Garment to help the company cover its payroll
> costs.
>
> - These outlays which amounted to app $15,000 per week were intended to
> help cover labor costs associated with finishing the production of PUMA
> products already in progress.
>
> - Although PUMA and its affiliates acted in good faith by securing the
> employee's remunerations, a delay in wage payments occurred as a result
> of  Matamoros Garment's financial situation. This delay and other
> allegations prompted outrage from employee activists. Said activists,
> unknowing of PUMA's  actions, conferred guilt by association on the
> company. Subsequent investigation revealed that PUMA was in fact in an
> "unfortunate situation" which has since been corrected.
>
> The above named events triggered a series of assertions against PUMA. Upon
> closer examination all of these allegations are based on unsubstantiated
> claims and improperly communicated information. Specifically the following
> elements need to be addressed to ensure that proper information is
conveyed.
>
> Workers indicated that they were not paid for 3.5 weeks: Although workers
> were paid up to one week late as a result of Matamoros financial
> difficulties, they were paid their full wages. Payments were witnessed by
> Junta de Conciliacion (the Mexican Worker's Court). Detailed records
> indicating payments and receipts of these can be found at
> www.matamorosgarment.com/payment. Members of the independent support
center
> for workers "Centro de Apoyo al Trabajodor"  retracted previously issued
> statements indicating that Matamoros workers were not paid.
>
> Unhealthy cafeteria conditions: Problems stemmed from the agricultural use
> of surrounding fields resulted in the flooding of Matamoros Garment
> factory's cafeteria. A professional contractor hired by the company to
> construct proper flood prevention barriers has resolved this problem.
More
> importantly, even on days where flooding did occur, a cleaning crew swept
> out the cafeteria prior to employee lunch breaks.
>
> Forced overtime: Throughout the duration of PUMA's contract, including the
> time after which the contract was ended, but production of PUMA product
> ensued, interviewed workers categorically denied that they were forced,
> required, or strongly encouraged to work overtime. Requests for overtime
> work were freely declined without any consequence for the worker. This
> information has been verified by all of the randomly selected workers who
> were  interviewed between February 3-4 2003.
>
> Locked in factory: Again, all 22 interviewed employees indicated that they
> were never locked in the factory. They could, with permission from Human
> Resources and / or their Supervisors leave the factory at any time.
> Permission was required to ensure that proper time-keeping practices could
> be implemented.
>
> Freedom of association: All persons interviewed stated that they are
> allowed to be or are already members of the "Sindicato Francisco Villa de
> la Industria Textil y Conexos Miembro de la C.T.M. This organization has
> been the legal work union at the factory since November 1999. More
> importantly, two of the three interviewed Centro de Apoyo al Trabajodor
> members confirmed that they have freedom of association and have requested
> that their own union gains recognition and legal acceptance.
>
> Verbal and physical abuse: Interviewed employees overwhelmingly denied
that
> physical or verbal abuse occurred in the Matamoros Garment factory. PUMA,
> by its own free will acknowledges that verbal abuse is subjective to
> individual opinions and that any measure of this type is subject to
> differing interpretations.
>
> Lack of transport: As in the past, Matamoros will continue to provide free
> transportation to and from work for its employees. Recently, due to the
> company's economic situation, routes and schedules have been restructured
> to provide a more cost effective service network.
>
> After careful analysis and constant dialogue with the relevant parties,
> PUMA realizes that Matamoros Garment factory workers have been affected by
> the events that transpired in the preceding months. Nonetheless, PUMA has
> made every effort to preempt and rectify the situation, even at
> considerable cost to PUMA and its partners. The Centro de Apoyo al
> Trabajodor, which has been instrumental in our investigations, has also
> reached the conclusion that PUMA was placed in precarious position, not as
> a result of its actions or negligence, but purely because of its
> international clout and ability to draw attention to the circumstances
> beyond its control. As a result, Centro de Apoyo al Trabajodor has
informed
> us that they are planning on issuing a statement retracting the assertions
> listed above. In an effort to show good will and the potential for renewed
> interaction, PUMA will consider reestablishing normal business
> relationships with the Matamoros Garment factory once matters underscoring
> the current difficulties are resolved to everyone's satisfaction.
>
> At PUMA we strongly adhere to the code of conduct and the policies laid
out
> in our S.A.F.E. manual. These, along with constant inspection, dialogue,
> and interaction with all partners and stakeholders have allowed us to
> elevate the standard of living for those individuals who allow PUMA's
goals
> to become reality.
>
>
> Sincerely,
>
>
> Dr. Reiner Hengstmann
>
>
> Clean Clothes Campaign
> PO Box 11584
> 1001 GN Amsterdam
> The Netherlands
> tel: + 31 20 4122785
> fax: + 31 20 4122786
> e-mail:ccc at xs4all.nl
> http://www.cleanclothes.org
>
>
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