In consultation with local organisations and unions in Bangalore, an Ombudsperson in Bangalore will be appointed to resolve future problems. Should employees, local organisations, CCC or ICN have any complaints concerning labour conditions, they can submit these to the Ombudsperson, who will attempt to resolve them. Employees will be free to organise themselves in a union of their choice. On the basis of this agreement, CCC and ICN are confident that any violations of labour rights will be reported in a timely fashion and will be resolved in a correct manner. Parties therefore no longer require the courts to provide judgement on the difference of opinion as to the allegations put forward by local Indian organisations, and disputed by FFI/JKPL, as to events lying in the past (2005/2006). Therefore, the Indian company withdraws all legal proceedings, and CCC and ICN bring to an end all campaigns against FFI/JKPL and the Dutch jeans brand G-Star. CCC and ICN applaud the fact that G-Star, as the most important former client of FFI/JKPL restores their commercial relationship with FFI/JKPL."

Press release of Minister of State and former prime-minister of the Netherlands, Ruud Lubbers, who has since mid December 2007 led the mediation process. Read it here >> | For more information on FFI see: www.fibresnfabrics.com

The reports in these archives have, according to some local organisations from Bangalore, been based on interviews with employees of FFI/JKPL in 2005/2006. Mid 2006 it seemed that most complaints concerning labour conditions at the FFI/JKLP production facility were resolved. Below reports therefore do not provide insight into the current situation at FFI/JKPL, but, together with the remaining information in this section of the archives, form a part of the past. At approximately the same time as the report came out containing positive news as to labour conditions at FFI/JKPL, the Indian company commenced libel/defamation proceedings against local organisations. CCC and ICN took the position that corporate social responsibility requires a free and open dialogue with local stakeholders as well as external organisations that do not represent employees of the relevant production facility. CCC and ICN argued that the libel/defamation proceedings hindered the freedom of speech and the freedom of association. Many other ngo's and unions rallied to their side. Upon withdrawal of the libel/defamation (and other) proceedings and the appointment of the ombudsman, as set out above, the situation was normalised and parties were able to proceed with the order of the day. CCC shall regularly publicise a report of the ombudsman in this archives section.Chronological/Historical overview of events:

• Jan 29, 2008, Indian court cases against Dutch and Indian organisations withdrawn
  Agreement reached between Clean Clothes Campaign / India Committee of the Netherlands and Indian clothing manufacturer
• Dec 18, 2007, Activists Across the Globe Call on G-Star to Give Workers A Fair Deal
  December 17 Action Day in 12 Countries, Spanning Four Continents
• Dec 12, 2007, European Parliament expresses consern about about FFI case
  Find here part of the the text of EP member Richard Howitt's speech to the European Parliament yesterday and the response from the Commissioner responsible. Below that the press release put out by the Socialist group in the parliament
• Dec 11, 2007, Statement by Fair Labor Association President on Freedom of Speech and Expression
  "The recent legal action by the Indian company Fibres and Fabrics International (FFI) against local and international NGOs and companies is troubling and detrimental to all efforts to improve working conditions in the global supply chain."
• Dec 11, 2007, Call on G-Star to Ensure a Fair Deal for FFI Workers
  G-Star must now make good on its promise of ethical treatment of workers by developing a responsible exit strategy that makes the employment of FFI/JKPL employees its top priority.
• Dec 6, 2007, The Clean Clothes Responds to G-Star's Withdrawal from FFI/JKPL
  Today G-Star announced its withdrawal from supplier FFI/JKPL. The Clean Clothes Campaign (CCC) and the India Committee Netherlands (ICN) are pleased that G-Star has finally taken this important first step toward socially responsible practices. Part and parcel of this decision should be G-Star's effort to maintain jobs for the workers of the FFI factory.
• Dec 4, 2007, G-Star: Stop Being A Gag-star!
  On December 1, the Bangalore magistrate court ordered the arrest of seven Dutch human rights activists from the Clean Clothes Campaign and the India Committee of the Netherlands.Please take action now and write to G-star today.
• Dec 3, 2007, - CCC - PRESSRELEASE
  Indian court issues international arrest warrants for Dutch labour activists
  The NGOs, Unions outraged at attempt to imprison human rights defenders.
• Nov 30, 2007, 'GAG STAR' action during biggest ever anti-sweatshop meeting in Bangkok
• Nov 9, 2007, International Trade Union Confederation releases statement.
  India: Government Supports Employer in Cover-up of Worker Rights Abuses
  The ITUC has criticised attempts by the Indian government and the Bangalooru Court to cover up serious labour rights violations by the Fibre & Fabrics International company (FFI) and its subsidiary Jeans Knits Pvt. Ltd in the Indian city.
• Nov 6, 2007, Call to the Indian Prime Minister: Stop Harassment of CCC Human Rights Defenders
  The Observatory for the Protection of Human Rights Defenders has launched an urgent appeal in support of staff members of the Clean Clothes Campaign (CCC) and the India Committee of the Netherlands (ICN).
• Oct 25, 2007 - Clean Clothes Campaign and India Committee of the Netherlands falsely accused
  During a state visit of the Dutch Queen and several ministers and companies, the Indian Minister of Economic affairs, Shri Kamal Nath, confronted the delegation with misleading information on the work of the Clean Clothes Campaign and the India Committee of the Netherlands, in relation to the factory FFI in Bangalore.
• Oct 2, 2007 - Amnesty International on India court case against CCC
  India: Continued harassment of defenders of women workers’ rights and campaigners abroad
• Sept 27, 2007 - CCC - PRESSRELEASE
  India: Warrant of arrest for Dutch labour rights activists
• Sept 27, 2007 - Garment factory continues to sue its critics
  Clean Clothes Campaign and India Committee of the Netherlands summoned to appear in court
• Sept 7, 2007, CCC court case hearing postponed to September 24, 2007
• July 16 2007, Support freedom of speech and freedom of association
  Make it clear that labour rights organisations will not be silenced
• June 25 2007 - Action at G-star in Amsterdam - Indian libel case against CCC postponed.
• June 14 2007 - Dutch campaign organisations summoned to Indian court in alleged defamation case
  Indian jeans manufacturer FFI tries to silence its critics
• May 10 2007 - Continuous Call for Action to lift restraining order imposed by Fibres & Fabrics International
  Obstinate FFI refuses dialogue with local stakeholders - despite mounting international pressure and impending suspension of certification
• Feb 19 2007- PRESS RELEASE - Indian supplier of Euro/US Brands Gags Rights Activists
  Court denies Indian labour organizations right to speak about working conditions in garment factory
• Feb 1 2007, Indian garment companies try to silence Clean Clothes Campaign
  The Clean Clothes Campaign received a letter from Pramila Associates Advocates on behalf of their client Fibres and Fabrics International (FFI) in which they threaten with court proceedings should the Clean Clothes Campaign not refrain from reporting on the labour conditions at FFI.
• Jan 19 2007 - Fibres & Fabrics: Indian Labour Organisations still gagged
  More information on demands
• Jan 10 2007 - Fibres & Fabrics: Indian Labour Organisations still gagged
  Keep the pressure on the brands sourcing from FFI/JKPL to ensure the court order silencing Indian labour support organisations is removed so that violations of workers' rights can be resolved.
• Oct 12 2006 - Clean Clothes Campaign files complaint against G-star
  Dutch Clean Clothes Campaign and India Committee of the Netherlands file OECD Guidelines complaint against clothing retailer G-Star.
  Read the complaint >>
• Aug 2006 - Gag Order Placed on Indian Labour Support Organisations
  Garment Companies in Bangalore, India, FFI/JKPL, seek to Prevent Exchange of Information

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