Printer-friendly version

Who owns it

Karnation Industries and Export, Inc (also known as Pansy Accessories Corporation to its international business partners)

What they produce

Home furnishings, home decor

Who they produce for

Fred Inc., Homeview Design, Inc., Grande Impressions Ltd.

Address

350 Irma St., Marick Subdivision, Cainta, Rizal, Philippines

Number of workers

300 workers at the time of the strike with 20 union workers arrested at time of the strike

Summary of Problems at the Factory

• Workers were paid P170 per day which is far below the mandated minimum wage for Rizal province of P320 per day. Workers reported that since 2007, the management gave them only P10/day increase, which is still below the minimum wage.
• 20 union workers were incarcerated in 2007 after going on strike after factory management did not address any of their complaints, including: illegal dismissal, non-payment of holiday pay, 13th month pay, night differential and salary that was only half of the P320 mandated daily minimum wage at the time.
• While incarcerated, the 20 workers were detained in a single room, where there was no room for all of them to sleep at one time.
• 2 of the 20 died of tuberculosis and its complications while detained
• 14 of the workers posted bail while 4 remain detained.
• Factory management has worked to delay any progress with the trial

Union Information

At the end of the first quarter of 2007, the Congress Labor Organization – Karnation Industries and Export, Inc. union chapter was registered.  Prior to the registration of this union, workers were paid below the minimum wage and were deprived of any benefits due to them from the company.  However, after the union had registered, there were no significant changes in working conditions.  Therefore the workers decided to go on strike which resulted in wrongful arrests of all 20 union members.

Communication with Buyers

ILRF is in the midst of communicating directly with buyers and is awaiting a response.

Reports and More Information About Factory

 •    Take Action through the Asian Human Rights Commission (ARHC) Website
•    More information is available through the Center for Trade Unions and Human Rights (CTUHR) Website
•    Youtube video with the families of those accused