Solidarity actions for the North Sails workers in Sri Lanka!

On Saturday 20 September, the Dutch Clean Clothes Campaign and the CNV Youth organisation (union in the Netherlands) did an action on Makkum beach during a surfing event "the Real Trip" sponsored by North Sails. At the same time, actions took place in Australia and Sri Lanka.

The organisations demand from North Sails to take their responsibility in resolving a conflict in a factory in Sri Lanka where North Sails produces sails and sailing garments. In this factory, 207 workers were dismissed and suspended because they went on strike because of a cancellation of a quality bonus. Workers need the quality bonus to survive on the extremely low wages they are paid.

Australia
In Australia, the Fair Wear Campaign organised a beach action on Manly Beach, close to the North Sails Australian Office in Mona Vale. Beach goers were encouraged to sign a banner. A lot of people supported the action and signed the banner. Furthermore, a sand-structure was made spelling out the words "North Sails Wipes Out On Workers' Rights".

Sri Lanka
In Sri Lanka, the Free Trade Zone Workers Union (FTZWU) and the North Sails Lanka workers were picketing in front of the main gate of the Free Trade Zone (FTZ). Ten thousand (!) leaflets were distributed among the FTZ workers and posters with slogans demanding the reinstatement of the North Sails Lanka workers and the recognition of the union were handed out. On Sunday 21 September 2003, the FTZWU organised a public seminar where, amongst others, the North Sails dispute was discussed. A lot of FTZWU members as well as non-members attended this meeting and many of them signed cards of protest. The necessity of international support was highlighted. Both actions were very successful.

The Netherlands (Makkum)
Surfers call on North Sails to be a good sport in the treatment of their own workers
During the North Sails surfing event in Makkum, a North Sails surfing sail was transformed into an unique piece of art. Surfers who supported the action (and many of them did!) could sign the sail or paint a slogan on it. Furthermore, lip gloss (with the print "North Sails wipes out") and action cards were distributed. Hundreds of signatures of surfers and the public were collected. Reactions to the actions were very positive. Surfers said that the North Sails brand has a good image in the surfing scene, but that a good image should also include that the company should guarantee workers' rights at their suppliers.

Living wage and the right to organise
The painted North Sails surfing sail with slogans and signatures from The Netherlands, the banner with signatures from Australia and the actions cards from Sri Lanka, will be handed over to the management of Boards & More (of which North Sails is a division) by the Clean Clothes Campaign in Austria. The CCC demands from Boards & More to take steps in order to reinstate the workers at North Sails Lanka and pay the wages they are owed. North Sails should ensure that the workers who make their products are paid a living wage and can form unions to defend their own rights. In the beginning of October, Sri Lanka's Labour Tribunal will hear this case.

What can you do?
Please send your protest e-mail to Boards & More now and support the North Sails Lanka workers in their struggle for labour rights!

North Sails: the coolest sportswear in Europe?
Not so cool for their own workers!