International fashion brands including Marks and Spencer and Levi’s have signed a joint letter to the Madagascan government, calling for a resolution to an industrial dispute at the Port of Toasmina. Levi’s and Esprit have already voiced support for the dockworkers.
The International Transport Workers’ Federation (ITF) claims that dockworkers are being mistreated, alleging that 43 employees were unfairly dismissed by port operator International Container Terminal Services, Inc. (ICTSI).
The letter demands the reinstatement of the dockworkers plus the Syndicat General Maritime de Madagascar (SYGMMA) union to be allowed to represent workers at the port.
Category leader of apparel and textiles at the Ethical Trading Initiative (ETI), Martin Buttle, said: “Not only were we concerned for the dock workers themselves, we were also concerned that action against legitimate union activity would deter investor confidence in Madagascar as a future sourcing market.
