We denounce before the national and international public opinion especially to the North American and European consumers, to the Honduran subsidiary HANES CHOLOMA, HBI® and jointly to the TNC, HANESBRAND INC, the dismissal of 11 workers with occupational health problems as a result of professional risks according to diagnoses issued by the Honduran Social Insurance Institute (IHSS by Spanish acronym).
We denounce the complicity of the Secretary of Labour and Social Security (STSS by Spanish acronym) for their practices that violate the law and the sweatshop factory, HANES Choloma, HBI®, for the second time, for making use of a labour inspector to fire 11 workers through the regional Inspectorate act and avoiding the delivery of dismissal letters. This situation was brought to the attention of the regional labour authorities that promised CODEMUH and the affected women workers that such incidences would not be repeated. The central authorities are also aware of HANES practices and their inaction has permitted the dismissals to continue.
We denounce the Minister of Labour, Jorge Bográn Perdomo; the President of Honduras, Porfirio Lobo Sosa; the President of the National Congress, Juan Orlando Hernandez, for the violation of the human rights of women workers referred to in chapter V, Article 128, Number 6, of the Honduran Constitution, the Labour Code, and in Conventions and International declarations signed by Honduras.
The Convention on the Elimination of all forms of Discrimination Against Women (CEDAW) considers the right to the highest attainable level of mental and physical health and, conditions of fair and favorable employment conditions as a priority and responsibility of the states. The Convention also urges states to take all appropriate and effective measures to eliminate discrimination against women, both in public and private sectors, committed by any person, organization or company. CEDAW considers that states are responsible for the actions of the private sector if their inaction violates rights.
We hold all vested authorities and functions liable for damages to the workers of Hanes Choloma HBI®, victims of the work and dismissals in clear discrimination and illegality, for suffering from occupational diseases caused by the deficient work environment. The authorities are responsible for all damages caused by physical or psychological injuries, emotional suffering, illegal decreases in wage and impairment and the lessoning of the fundamental rights of the women workers and their families.
We call upon organizations of the social movement, national and international human rights organizations and especially to the consumers to sympathize with the workers – victims of their work- because they respect their human rights.
