"US watchdog uncovers violence against pro-union workers at Indian factory", 19 July 2018

At Shahi Exports...several union supporters were...circulating a petition that asked management to provide cleaner water and increase pay. Shahi managers responded, an independent monitoring group found, by making death threats to several pro-union workers and directing other employees to beat them…

...WRC called on Shahi to fire those managers, reinstate…workers and recognize the union. But when Shahi denied the managers’ responsibility for any violence…the WRC urged major western brands that buy apparel from Shahi…to press Shahi to fire the managers and apologize to the 15 workers.

Facing increased pressure…Shahi said...it had terminated five managers and had begun termination proceedings against four others. Shahi also reinstated the 15 workers, paid them back pay and agreed to recognize...the union…

...one of Shahi’s top executives…[told] the Guardian: “We were not able to verify or find any proof that these managers made death threats, hit workers, or urged anyone to beat up workers..."...WRC officials…[called] Shahi’s version “demonstrably false and willfully dishonest”...

...[WRC] said several major western brands that bought garments from Shahi were slow to pressure Shahi…

...“…we are extensively using our leverage,” H&M said. “A public apology has been issued...as well as recognition of the right to freedom of association…”…

...Columbia Sportswear…said, Shahi, “had a lot of pressure from all the brands…”...[and] said many companies did not immediately demand that managers be terminated because of concerns about due process, “that they might fire people without cause”...

...Abercrombie & Fitch said, “…We do not tolerate this type of behavior.” Benetton said, “We are in continuous contact with Shahi, to insist that workers’ rights … are guaranteed.”...