Sportswear companies are demanding ever-quicker and cheaper deals from suppliers around the globe, but hundred of thousands of workers mostly women are facing injustices on account of low wages, harsh working conditions, job insecurity and non-implementation of labour laws.
WWO Co-ordinator Aima Mehmood stated this while talking to Business Recorder here on Saturday.
In a bid to convince sportswear/garment companies and the International Olympics Committee (IOC) for taking appropriate steps for protection of sportswear industry worker's rights, a global campaign "Play Fair at the Olympics" has already been launched from March this year.
This campaign will also focus on elimination of exploitation and abuse of most of the workers (women & men) producing sportswear in the world, she added.
A four-member WWO delegation will also participate in this global campaign under which representatives of over 11 countries will assemble at Bangkok in August, to raise voice for the protection of rights of workers of sportswear industry.
Through this campaign, WWO is highlighting women workers issues and also emphasising on Transnational Corporation (TNC) such as Reebok, Adidas etc and its sub contractors, to ensure fair labour practices and also implementation of labour laws.
She mentioned that the campaign would not only create more awareness among workers about their rights but also force the industrialists to implement good labour practices. This campaign would go a long way in bringing change at industrial places.
To a query, Aima said that Olympics Charter envisages for promoting respect for fundamental principles of human worth, dignity and fairness. Unfortunately, these principles are not followed at workplaces world-wide.
This campaign also aims at urging the sportswear industry and the International Olympics Committee (IOC) to take rational and concrete measures to improve respect for labour rights.