Photo Credit: Worker Rights Consortium

In June 2018, Worker Rights Consortium released findings from an investigation undertaken at a garment factory operated by Shahi Exports in Bangalore, India, following allegations of abuse by management.

The investigation found that between March and April 2018, there had been a violent campaign against workers' at Shahi's Unit 8 factory, who were attempting to organise with the Karnataka Garment Workers Union (KOOGU) union, and were petitioning for better working conditions, including better quality drinking water, bus transportation and higher wages . According to the findings, they were subjected to physical beatings, sexual abuse, death threats, gender, caste and religion-based abuse, threats of mass termination, and 15 workers were dismissed.

The Worker Rights Consortium called for several actions to be taken by Shahi, including: The termination of senior management involved in the violence; the reinstatement of those who had been dismissed with full back pay, compensation, and a written apology; and for Shahi to demonstrate commitment to freedom of association and recognise KOOGU.

According to the report, Shahi did not agree to take the steps suggested, while the brands supplying from the factory had also not required Shahi to take these steps, resulting in all the individuals involved remaining employed at the factory.

Following the report's release, Shahi met with the union and signed a memorandum of understanding. The dismissed workers were reinstated and received back wages, Shahi recognised the union, and most of the managers and supervisors responsible for the violence were terminated.

Shahi's Unit 8 factory supplies Columbia Sportswear, Abercrombie & Fitch (A&F), Benneton and H&M. Comments from the brands can be found below.