In NAALC, each NAFTA signatory must enforce its own domestic labor laws, not the standards established by the International Labor Organization (ILO) conventions, while promoting 11 worker rights practices over the long term. There is no penalty for decreasing domestic labor rights protections, like the U.S. and Mexico are currently trying to do.

Next week, the surviving injured and the families of the deceased will receive a final payment of the compensation they are entitled to under the Spectrum Relief Scheme that was established by Inditex (Zara) and the ITGLWF. That same day, proposals for compensation for the Hameem workers will be discussed by all stakeholders concerned.

Urgent action remains necessary to ensure that the victims of Garib and Garib receive just and fair compensation, and most importantly that systemic measures are taken to prevent future tragedies.

Cuffie introduced Gino Renne, President of Local 1994, who spoke of the county budget issues in the larger context of the events in the Midwestern US.   He connected the current situation with the circumstances that led to the assassination of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. on April 4, 1968.  King had gone to Memphis TN to support the largely African-American sanitation workers who were demanding union representation and the respect and dignity that would come with it.

If you were unable to attend, I’ve tried to capture some of the tonal qualities of the voices of those who talked about their experiences, with some of the key quotes:

Kalpona translated with conviction from her first language for the Bangladeshi workers. She knew her ability to communicate others’ stories across language barriers was the most important thing she could be doing right then. It was the only way we could hear firsthand the sweatshop conditions experienced by those working in garment factories subcontracted by Walmart.