[Translation generated via Google Translate]

“Workers locked in Benin's largest cotton processing center denounce 'fake industrialization’”, 8 October 2025

Workers locked inside the factory, forced to work overtime to earn the right to leave. This shocking reality doesn't concern a small factory, but the largest cotton processing center in the West African country of Benin .

Created in 2020, the Glo-Djigbe Industrial Zone , commonly known as GDIZ, is a vast industrial district 45 kilometers from Cotonou, the country's economic capital. The park is the result of a partnership between the Benin government and Arise IIP , founded by Indian tycoon Gagan Gupta, a former director and member of the executive committee of Olam, a global agribusiness giant.

The incident occurred on May 9th of this year. Almost five months later, Brasil de Fato spoke with some of the workers who participated in the protest after being locked out. They still work at the complex and declined to be identified.

…

The industrial park was created based on President Patrice Talon's desire to transform "white gold" locally, boosting the production and export of 100% Beninese clothing. (…)

… According to Mampo's report, for a period of 17 years, companies operating in the GDIZ were exempt from paying customs duties.

…This other GDIZ worker was lured by the promise of a salary of 100,000 CFA francs. Today, he earns 52,000 francs, the equivalent of R$495.

A father of two, he says the amount isn't enough to cover basic expenses, such as food and rent, which he estimates cost around R$200 a month. For him, that salary barely lasts two weeks.

…This other worker, who also works in clothing sewing, details the working conditions, which he describes as miserable. Among the irregularities, he highlights the extreme heat in the factory environment and the lack of adequate medical care.

…According to workers interviewed by the report on condition of anonymity, the two employees who appear exposing the situation in the video were fired days later.

…At a meeting with French business leaders in 2022, Patrice Talon highlighted the reforms implemented to attract foreign investment to the country. To applause, he highlighted the relaxation of labor laws and restrictions on the right to strike.

…Regarding the right to strike, Talon declared that it is “prohibited in some vital sectors” and said, in relation to French businesspeople, that it “is limited to a maximum of two days per month and ten days per year”, which he himself recognized is “a certain setback in relation to achievements and democracy”, he declared.

…

Brasil de Fato contacted those responsible for the Glo-Djigbe Industrial Zone and also sent questions to the Benin government and Arise IIP. There was no response by the time this report was published. The area remains open for demonstrations.