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Archived News Release--Caution:
information may be out of date.
For more information call: 202-219-8211.
Labor Secretary Robert B. Reich takes his battle to clean
up the U.S. garment industry to consumers this week, encouraging Christmas
shoppers to tell retailers they don't want to buy clothing produced with
sweatshop labor.
In an appearance tomorrow to tape a segment for the
nationally syndicated Phil Donahue show, Reich will urge consumers to ask
during their Christmas shopping excursions that retailers be certain their
clothing lines are fair labor fashions.
"The American consumer simply must be assured that gifts
under the Christmas tree weren't made with sweatshop labor," Reich said. "I
want to urge every Christmas shopper to ask the retail clerk for fair labor
fashions. The American public has the power of the pocketbook to make sure
every 'Made in America' label really means workers were paid minimum wage and
overtime."
Reich convened a retail summit in New York last week to
encourage prominent national stores to do more to stem the minimum wage and
overtime abuses that plague the garment industry. Retailers presented a series
of steps to aid the labor department's enforcement of existing laws.
"I was very pleased that the retailers agreed in our
meeting in New York to take some positive steps to improve compliance in the
industry," Reich said. "But I think much, much more can be done. And I know
that American consumers are the key to making sure more is done."
Several workers who have endured the nightmare of working
in U.S. sweatshops are expected to appear on the show. Representatives of the
retail industry have also been invited. The show is scheduled to air Tuesday,
Oct. 2.
Archived News Release--Caution:
information may be out of date.
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