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Archived News Release--Caution: information may be out of date.

LABOR SECRETARY ROBERT B. REICH RELEASES TRENDSETTER LIST OF RETAILERS, MANUFACTURERS COMMITTED TO ERADICATING SWEATSHOPS

Tues., Dec. 5, 1995

For more information call: 202-219-8211.

Labor Secretary Robert B. Reich today released a list of national retailers and manufacturers that are helping to eradicate sweatshops. The Fair Labor Fashions Trendsetter list is the latest development in the Labor Department's multifaceted education and enforcement initiative to improve compliance with the Fair Labor Standards Act and stem garment worker exploitation.

Reich began an initiative to improve compliance with wage laws in the industry shortly after taking office. In 1994 he met with national retailers to encourage their involvement in improving compliance. His efforts accelerated following the discovery in El Monte, Calif., of 72 garment workers toiling in slave-like conditions.

The Trendsetter list released today recognizes 31 companies that are taking responsibility for monitoring work practices of contractors who make garments for them. Companies named to the Trendsetter list are:

Reich said the Trendsetter companies were chosen because they are committed to U.S. labor laws; they cooperate with law enforcement when violations are discovered; they educate suppliers on the requirements of the Fair Labor Standards Act; and, most importantly, they monitor working conditions.

"Some in the garment industry follow trends. Others go further and set them. I am very pleased to recognize today 31 retailers and manufacturers that have earned a place on the Trendsetter list because they are in fact setting a new course to protect garment workers," Reich said.

"These trendsetters take that critical extra step -- beyond making sure that the hemlines are straight and the button holes are finished -- when delivering their garments to American consumers. They make sure -- by monitoring their contractors -- that the sweat of exploited workers is not part of a garment's design."

Although the list recognizes 31 companies, Reich acknowledged that many companies across the country have responded to a national call to end worker exploitation. He explained that the Trendsetter list remains a "work in progress" that he hoped would grow to include many other retailers and manufacturers.

In addition, he stressed that the list is not intended as an exhaustive inventory of commendable companies. The list is also not an endorsement of the products or services of any particular company or store. Reich said the list is an effort to encourage a public/private partnership that is essential to end garment worker exploitation.

Many important developments have occurred since Reich issued his national call for action following the discovery of slave- like working conditions in the Southern California sweatshop.

Consumer activists have announced they will build a nationwide coalition of groups to inform shoppers how they might express their concern on this issue.

A national poll conducted in November by Arlington, Va.,- based Marymount University's Center for Ethical Concerns showed that consumers are very concerned about worker exploitation. The poll of more than 1,000 consumers indicated shoppers are willing to pay up to $1 extra on a $20 garment to ensure worker protection. The poll also indicated 69 percent of shoppers would avoid establishments identified with sweatshop operations.

The Labor Department has received more than 5,000 calls and letters from customers of Working Assets. The firm asked its credit card and long distance customers to contact the department and encourage officials to end garment worker exploitation.

Unprecedented aggressive enforcement by the Labor Department yielded in Fiscal Year 1994 $2.2 million in backwages for 7,400 garment workers, a 30 percent increase over the previous year. By using the hot goods provision of the Fair Labor Standards Act, the deparment has held manufacturers accountable for labor law violations of contractors.

Since beginning its garment effort, 41 national manufacturers have signed agreements to monitor the compliance of their contracts. Twenty- nine of the manufacturers signed the agreements as the result of Labor Department enforcement action. Another 12 manufacturers had formed the Los Angeles Compliance Alliance, a trade association that provides independent monitoring for its members.

Last month, the National Retail Federation released a list of more than 100 retailers who had signed a statement of principles vowing to take action against sweatshops. That list is growing everyday, he said. Reich applauded those retailers and said he hoped all NRF members would adopt monitoring practices.

Retailers and manufacturers across the country individually or through their trade association submitted information to the department on measures they are taking to protect consumers from unknowingly purchasing sweatshop goods. All of those firms and trade associations were saluted today by Reich for their interest and activity on behalf of the public and garment workers.

"It is my hope that other retailers and manufacturers will respond to the public by adopting the monitoring policies we believe are critical to protecting the public and workers," Reich said.

Archived News Release--Caution: information may be out of date.