Link to article: https://www.theguardian.com/global-development/2021/feb/01/worker-at-hm-supply-factory-was-killed-after-months-of-harassment-claims-family
Twenty-year-old Jeyasre Kathiravel—a garment worker at an H&M supplier Natchi Apparels in Kaithian Kottai, Tamil Nadu, India—was found dead in a field after being abducted and murdered by her supervisor who has confessed to her murder. Ms. Kathiravel, who was working in the garment factory to pay for her education, was also reportedly raped. Police are waiting for the forensic report. Ms. Kathiravel had attempted to report the harassment and intimidation she had received to the company prior to her death, but no action was taken by the company, Eastman Exports which is a major supplier for H&M stores. On January 29, 2021 the Kathiravel family claims that a mob of 50 men came to their village and forced their way into their home demanding they accept money and sign documents saying that Eastman Exports were not liable for their daughter’s death. In the scuffle, Jeyasre’s mother was injured and needed to be taken to a local hospital. In videos taken by onlookers the large crowd can be seen screaming at the Kathiravel family and representatives from the local garment workers union. Eastman Exports have made a statement that they were there to give financial support to the family. A report written by a local nonprofit government organization claims that Ms. Kathiravel and her attacker were deeply in love and Ms. Kathiravel never complained about harassment. H&M has stated that they have a zero-tolerance policy for gender-based violence, they have sent condolences to the family. H&M has been asked by the trade unions to not cut ties with Eastman Exports.
People in the Western Culture need to understand the working conditions for those people producing the items that they purchase in order to be responsible, educated consumers. Ms. Kathiravel was admittedly murdered by her superior while working in a factory producing clothing items for H&M stores. Her labor union stands by her side stating that she had made formal complaints to her employer about issues with her superior that went unheard. Then the company that employed her came to her family’s home to show their support and her mother ends in the hospital because of their support. The labor union states other situations that are similar to this with this manufacturer. While people in the United States fight for their own equal rights, they need to understand that this is a global problem and that the cute shirt they are wearing may have been made by someone living in terrible conditions. It is our responsibility as consumers to educate ourselves on how the companies we buy from treat their employees and to hold these companies accountable when mistreatment and oppression is evident.
In a global marketplace, the larger consumer countries need to look out for those people producing the products that are being sold in their countries. Forced labor and unfit working conditions are not new. Large American companies who wish to purchase merchandise need to use their power to protect the lives and living conditions of those making their wares by pressuring their suppliers to do better. The U.S. government also has the power pressure other countries to create laws that protect the rights of factory employees by implementing economic pressures and threatening to break trade bargains in the interest of protecting human rights.