WRC Factory Investigation

Wing Star Shoes

Factory: Wing Star Shoes

Key Buyers: ASICS, Muji

Last Updated: 2024

Case Summary

The WRC’s investigation uncovered severe retaliatory actions against workers who formed an independent union. After establishing the union to address grievances, factory management took the following unlawful actions:

  • Instigated legal action that led to the arrest and prolonged detention of Chea Chan, the union president, who was jailed for months and sentenced to one year in prison; and
  • Additional intimidation tactics against other union members to suppress their organizing efforts.

Mr. Chan was held in prison until August 19, 2024, the same day that the appeal of his conviction was heard in court—at which point, the prosecutor admitted that there was no evidence that the worker leader had committed any crime. Three days later, on August 22, 2024, the court officially overturned its prior verdict and acquitted him.

Wing Star Shoes has now allowed Mr. Chan to return to the factory but has not given him back his job as a mechanic. Moreover, despite having caused him to spend six months in prison on baseless charges, the factory is refusing to pay any compensation for the harm and suffering it caused Mr. Chan and his family through its false accusation.

ASICS and MUJI allowed these actions to proceed unchecked, resulting in a significant violation of workers’ right to freedom of association. Despite the gravity of these offenses, ASICS and MUJI continue to fail to take corrective measures or hold the factory accountable, allowing Wing Star Shoes to only partially remedy the violation.

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