Vietnam - Union leader dismissed, strikers beaten

Mr. Phan Sophat, the president of the Collective Union of Movement of Workers (CUMW) union local at Takeo shoes, a branch of Beautiful Spring, was dismissed on 30 September 2015. The dismissal followed his decision to leave the officially registered union and join the local CUMW branch, to voice the workers’ concerns. The employees went on strike in support of their grievances over working conditions, and to call for Phan Sophat’s reinstatement. The CUMW reported that the employer used strong arm tactics against the striking workers, bringing in the armed forces and hiring thugs to beat the strikers. On 10 October, management went to court for an injunction to order the strikers back to work.