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NEWSLETTER 12, MAY 2000
Are Bulgarian workers undressed by sportgiants?
FNV workshop in the Netherlands
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At a conference in Eastern Europe organised by the Dutch trade
union federation FNV one of the guests was a garment worker and trade
unionist from Bulgaria. She works for Pan which produces for UMBRO.
She told us her story:
Statement by and interview with Rozka Vlahova, Bulgaria, 12th
of November 1999
"Workers earn on a piece-rate basis. How many hours we have
to work is never known at the beginning of the day, sometimes 24
hours in a row to finish an order. Daily I work at least 10 hours,
sometimes 7 days a week. Physically this is not possible, but it
is the only thing what we can do. Overtime is 'voluntary' but if
I refuse I will be fired. The official contract states 8 hours per
day, 5 days a week. Last September I worked 150 hours overtime.
My wage is 150-200 DM per month on average, in top months - with
a lot of overtime - the maximum is 250 DM. Overtime is a necessity
for the women because of the need for higher income. But just for
vague reasons and excuses my salary sometimes is withdrawn.
I have no health insurance and pension. Unemployment benefit is
70 DM, whereas already 200 DM is too little to live on. When I am
ill I receive 70 DM per month (same as unemployment benefit). I
am entitled to 14 days of holidays annually, and get paid 70 DM
per month. There are women who work during their holidays in other
factories to earn extra money.
Sometimes wages were not paid for 3 months. Fines imposed on factory
owners by the labour inspection for bad health and safety conditions
are sometimes even deducted from the wages of the workers.
Foreign firms don't allow local subcontracting factories to allow
active unions. During talks foreign contractors say that union organisation
is allowed. In practice however not. The union is allowed to exist,
as long as it makes no claims. If it does, the unionised workers
get fired. Because of the fear to loose the job, they don't organise
a union. Before there was a union which organised 20 sweatshops.
It doesn't function anymore because of the fear of the workers.
The legal system is corrupt. The workers get no support from the
government or other organisations like churches, municipalities.
For women the situation has become worse. Social services no longer
exist - such as child care facilities, free education. Because the
women are always working they can't take care of the family and
children. In the region women mostly are the sole breadwinners in
the households. Consequently for them to earn something is better
than nothing at all."
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