TORONTO, May 7, 2013 /CNW/ - "The Steelworkers Humanity Fund is contributing $15,000 in emergency aid for garment workers and their families affected by the collapse of the Rana Plaza building in Savar, Dhaka, Bangladesh," Ken Neumann, United Steelworkers (USW) National Director, announced today.
"This humanitarian relief will not remove the need for the Western apparel brands, local employers and the Bangladeshi government to provide compensation to the 2,500 injured workers and the families of more than 600 workers who were killed in the April 24 disaster," said Neumann.
On May 1, the United Steelworkers joined with other Canadian trade unions and advocacy groups, including the Maquila Solidarity Network, in urging Galen Weston, Executive Chairman of Loblaw - owner of Joe Fresh brand - to negotiate fair compensation for workers and to take immediate steps to ensure preventable tragedies such as this do not occur in the future.
The Steelworkers Humanity Fund is a registered charitable organization that focuses primarily on development projects and emergency aid in developing countries, but also supports Canadian communities in crisis. Steelworkers union members contribute to the fund through clauses negotiated into collective agreements. In some cases, matching contributions come from employers.
SOURCE: United Steelworkers (USW)
Contacts:
Ken Neumann, USW National Director, 416-544-5951
Bob Gallagher, USW Communications,416-544-5996, 416-434-2221, [email protected]
Doug Olthuis, Steelworkers Humanity Fund, 416-544-5957, [email protected]
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