Urgent Update- Disney Bangladesh Campaign: Workers Win Initial Victory
November 5, 2002

Major Breakthrough in Bangladesh!
Disney contractor in Bangladesh cleans up the Shah Makhdum factory, institutes significant improvements, ends abusive conditions, apologizes to the workers, and agrees to open his factory to independent monitoring--when Disney returns its orders.

Now it is Disney's turn to Act!--What is Disney waiting for?
For eight long years young teenaged women sewing Disney garments at the Shah Makhdum factory in Bangladesh were beaten, forced to work 14 to 15 hours a day, seven days a week--while living in utter misery and being paid just five cents for each $17.99 Disney shirt they made. When the women couldn't take any more and asked that their basic rights be respected--that they be treated as human beings and not animals--Disney responded by cutting and running, pulling its work from the factory and dumping the women in the street with nothing. The workers want Disney to do the right thing--to return its work to the factory, but this time to respect their rights.

The Good News
Conditions at Shah Makhdum vastly improved: Beatings and abuse end!

A. Management apologizes to the workers for past abuse and vows reform:
An extraordinary meeting took place the week of October 21, when Shah Makhdum’s owner, Mr. Bikkis Jahan, called all 325 workers together and apologized to them for past abuses and harsh treatment. He then instructed the supervisors to immediately stop hitting, cursing at and threatening the workers. The owner vowed that such cruel treatment will no longer be tolerated. And the workers tell us, that so far at least, treatment by management has much improved and is, in fact, somewhat good. Shah Makhdum’s director, the owner’s younger brother, met with the Bangladesh Center for Workers’ Solidarity and again vowed that from this point forward the factory would try its best to strictly adhere to all of Bangladesh’s labor laws.

B. Factory cleaned & painted, clean drinking water provided:
That same week the factory was cleaned and the walls whitewashed and painted. The bathrooms were cleaned, and toilet paper and soap have been provided. New wash basins have been installed outside the bathrooms so the workers can wash their hands and faces after their shifts end. Filters have been installed to purify the water, so the workers now have safe water to drink.

C. Well-ventilated, more space, adequate lighting:
There is more space now, since the Shah Makhdum factory has taken over the second floor of the building it is in (previously occupied by another tenant). So, the factory is no longer cramped and over-crowded. New lighting and fans have also been installed. Unlike in the past, the workers now describe the factory as well-ventilated.

D. One day off:
Workers are now receiving one day off a week--the factory was, in fact, closed on Friday, November 1. (Friday is the Muslim weekly holiday.)

In October, the workers also received two days off for religious holidays--which would have been unheard of in the past.

E. New dining area:
In the past, workers had to eat their lunch on the roof, sitting on the dirty concrete, with no protection from the elements--be it rain or the glaring sun. Now a small covered dining area has been set up, with a table which can seat 30 to 40 workers at a time. Fans have also been installed.

F. Disney’s Code of Conduct has finally been posted:
Even Disney’s Code of Conduct has suddenly been posted on the wall, and in Bengali.

G. Daycare Center set up:
Shah Makhdum has set aside a room for a daycare center--complete with toys. However, no children have been allowed to use it yet. Perhaps Shah Makhdum’s management is waiting for Disney’s orders to return before actually opening the center.

H. Workers now describe the Shah Makhdum factory as “better than average”:
According to the workers, conditions at the Shah Makhdum factory are now “better than average.” There is still more that needs to be done--like reviewing wages and implementing the annual wage increase--but sufficient changes have been made so that the workers are “somewhat satisfied.”

I. Local women's rights group tours factory--surprised at the extent of improvements:
Leaders of the Bangladesh Center for Workers Solidarity--including Sk Nazma who had just returned from the U.S. tour--visited the Shah Makhdum factory on Friday, November 1. They were truly surprised at the sudden appearance and all the recent changes that have been made at the factory (including the fact that the factory was closed and the workers had the day off).

J. Shah Makhdum agrees to independent monitoring:
Shah Makhdum’s director said he would allow the BCWS to independently monitor the factory once Disney’s orders were restored. He would be willing to put this in writing as a signed agreement.

Shah Makhdum has done its part--it is now up to Disney:
Clearly, some significant improvements have been made at the Shah Makhdum factory--and we could say that local management has come more than half-way. Now it is up to Disney to act. The Shah Makhdum factory is in much better shape than at any time in the last eight years. It is Disney’s turn to do the right thing.