The ethical revolution sweeping through the world's sweatshops

[G_j]

http://news.independent.co.uk/world/politics/story.jsp?story=629863

The ethical revolution sweeping through the world's sweatshops

By Maxine Frith, Social Affairs Correspondent
16 April 2005


They are the global brands that have raked in multimillion-pound profits on the back of sweatshop labour in developing countries.

But after a decade of denying any wrongdoing, companies such as Nike and Gap are now admitting that their workers have been exploited and abused, and have pledged to improve the conditions of the millions of people who are paid a few pence a day to make their top-selling goods.

The wholesale reform is being hailed as a victory for anti-sweatshop campaigners who just a few years ago were being derided and dismissed by the big brand names. With consumers becoming increasingly concerned with "ethical shopping", activists say firms are realising that being linked with sweatshop labour can lead to a dip rather than a rise in profits.

This week, for the first time, Nike published details of the 700 factories that make its goods in an effort to create more "transparency" for customers. The company pledged to set up a task force to ensure that its codes of conduct on pay, hours and conditions are complied with.

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[MissMarple]

1. That's a start. Good for Nike, GAP, and Levi Strauss.

And bad on the other manufacturers. GAP is opening it's new stores this coming Friday. I will feel a bit more comfortable shopping there knowing at least they are making an honest attempt at leveling the playing field for workers. GAP also owns Banana Republic and Old Navy.

From the article:
"But concerns remain over the continued abuse of garment workers around the world - 70 per cent of them are women, particularly with the ending in January this year of the World Trade Organisation's multi-fibre agreement. The MFA was established in the 1970s and set international quotas for textiles, in an effort to protect the industries of countries with higher manufacturing costs from a flood of cheaper foreign imports.

Campaigners are worried that the scrapping of the agreement will lead to a huge shift in manufacturing to countries with the cheapest costs but the worst record on working conditions, such as China. And despite some companies' repentance and reforms, other top-name brands are still using sweatshops. Among those on the target list of campaigners are Tommy Hilfiger, Umbro and Fila."