FFI decides not to drop cases against CCC, ICN BANGALORE: Fibres and Fabrics International Limited (FFI), the Indian apparel supplier to global brands like Gsar and Mexx, on Saturday said it has decided not to drop legal cases against a Dutch NGO that accused its subsidiary Jeans Knit of having poor workplace conditions. The move not to drop the cases against Clean Clothes Campaign and the India Committee of Netherlands comes in wake of G-star deciding that it would stop sourcing its material from FFI. "It is very unfortunate that G-star has taken a decision to stop sourcing with us. This will cause social and economic harm to both companies and countries", FFI Director (Manufacturing) Mohammed Ghiase told PTI here. "The democratic right to seek justice is being used as the last resort. It is our only last resort to defend ourselves. The board of directors of FFI and JKPL decided to conclusive continue legal cases", he said. However, he also added, "We hope the present intervention of the Dutch Government would yield positive results". A local court on Saturday had issued international arrest warrants against eight Dutch nationals, including the activitsts of CCI and ICN, acting on a suit filed by FFI. CCN and ICN had launched a campaign in 2005 against alleged labour rights violation at FFI and its wholly owned subsidiary Jeans Knit Private Limited (JKPL). Earlier, FFI claimed that pressure was being mounted on various fronts, including from its key client G-star, to withdraw the cases of defamation filed by FFI and that it had perhaps would have no option but to withdraw the cases. [See: The Economic Times, Dec 6, 2007] CCI and ICN had been urging G-star to stop sourcing material from FFI unless it implements conducive labour conditions within its factory premises.

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Landelijke India Werkgroep - December 10, 2007