Owen Tudor

A historic agreement was signed today in Jakarta. Indonesian clothing unions, major supplier factories and key sportswear brands have agreed to guarantee freedom to form unions, bargain collectively and on facilities for unions. In the run up to the London 2012 Olympics the Play Fair Campaign will be encouraging other sportswear and garment brands to sign up to the protocol.

Workers in Indonesia and in other countries producing sportswear are frequently prevented from organizing at sportswear supplier factories and from carrying out union activities. Recent research covering 18 factories in Indonesia found that all had taken anti-union measures.

“This protocol ensures brands take responsibility to ensure respect for union rights” said Lilis Mahmudah, Head of Program for SPN.

The Play Fair campaign for global sportswear brands to take concrete steps to improve conditions in their supply chains involves trade unions and the Clean Clothes Campaign, and in Indonesia also involved Oxfam.