To highlight the exploitative conditions of work and to strengthen the struggle against violations, the rally will mobilise thousands of workers across the country while passing through Tirupur, Chennai, Bangalore, Mumbai, Surat, Kolkata and Ludhiana, the major garment producing centres. Commencing on 19 July 2004, the Rally will conclude in August in a public meeting to be addressed by the Labour and Sports Ministers at the Speakers' Hall, Constitution Club, New Delhi.

In India, in spite of the fact that Garment industry is one of the most prominent, both in terms of production and employment generation, yet, large-scale violation of rights of workers is witnessed here. In order to meet targets and to sustain the competition in the market, employers and industrialists pressurise workers with longer working hours and low wages. Democratic rights of workers like right to organise, minimum wages, eight-hour work and social security acquired over long struggles are practically denied to workers in this sector.

With an aim to eliminate the exploitation and abuse of workers producing sportswear and athletic footwear and in the context of the next Olympic games in August 2004, a campaign - Play Fair at the Olympics - has been launched at the international level. Play Fair at the Olympics: India Campaign is intended to sensitise the larger public towards observing the fair labour standards in the garment and sportswear industry. The Campaign identifies empowerment of workers as the most important and effective vehicle in improving working conditions and wage level in garment industry.

The Organising Committee of this campaign comprising trade unions - AITUC, AICCTU, CITU, HMS, INTUC, NTUI, UTUC and CEC and SAVE - is facilitating the All India Rally of the garment and sportswear industry workers.

The rally will see workers carrying a replica of the Olympic torch symbolising them as the real torch-bearers of the event. Olympics Celebrate Humanity. Its motto - 'Citius, Altius, Fortius' (faster, higher, stronger), embodies true athletic spirit. The mega event, with the athletes in their colorful jerseys attracts peoples across the world. The event is cheered and praised, but the million who dress the event are invisible and their woes are unheard.