Ramatex (Violet Apparel)
When the Violet Apparel factory in Cambodia, owned by Ramatex, suddenly closed in July 2020, all of its workers lost their jobs. In response, the workers demanded their legally owed compensation, including unpaid wages and bonuses. Nike and Matalan were sourcing from Ramatex and have the responsibilty to ensure the workers are paid. The union is demanding $1.4 million unpaid compensation and damages as workers are entitled to under Cambodian law. Nike (the largest buyer from Ramatex Group) and Matalan have thus far failed to take responsibility.
See photos below: Ramatex workers call on Nike-sponsored athletes to take action.
Tell Nike and Matalan: It’s time to Pay Your Workers
Street action in Netherlands
Street action in Germany
Street action in Australia
Protest by Ramatex workers on 1 May 2023
In Cambodia, unions are also taking coordinated action to retrieve the wages lost during the pandemic. At the time of the lockdown, suspended workers were paid a maximum of USD 70 per month in assistance, of which USD 30 was paid by their employer and USD 40 paid by the government – less than 40% of the minimum wage. Furthermore, bonus payments and seniority indemnity payments were postponed, leaving workers even more destitute. Unions in Cambodia have turned to brands sourcing from the country urging them to take responsibility and fill the gap. They can’t leave their workers underpaid!
Altogether, Cambodian garment workers producing goods for international fashion and sportswear brands, such as Adidas, VF, Target, Nike and Gap, were deprived of an estimated US$ 109 million in wages during the April and May 2021 national lockdown, according to calculations by Cambodian trade unions and the Clean Clothes Campaign. Read more about the impact of the pandemic on garment workers in Cambodia here, and here.
