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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information may be out of date.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 and a coalition of
consumer, labor and religious organizations representing more than 50 million
members today announced an initiative to raise public awareness of continued
worker abuse in the U.S. garment industry.
On the 85th Anniversary of one of the worst sweatshop
tragedies in history, the Triangle Shirtwaist Factory fire, Reich and an
organizer of the coalition unveiled new public service announcement ads, "Clues
for Consumers," for shoppers interested in sweatshop-free shopping and a new
site on the World Wide Web dedicated to the public awareness effort.
On March 25, 1911, The Triangle Shirtwaist Company fire
claimed the lives of 146, mostly women, and brought attention to the abhorrent
workplace conditions of the era. The resulting public outrage fueled the
creation of workplace health and safety standards and was instrumental in
shaping future labor laws.
"Eighty-five years after one of the worst workplace
tragedies in our history, we are witnessing a return of sweatshops," said
Reich. "The anniversary of this tragedy should mark a renewed commitment to
eradicate them.
"Sweatshops pose a threat to the workers. But they also
threaten the legitimate contractors in the industry who want to pay good wages
and abide by the rules. We are dedicated to protecting contractors as well from
the unscrupulous in the industry. More than 1 million garment workers in this
country depend on a healthy, thriving industry."
Linda Golodner, president of the National Consumers
League, announced that more than 25 consumer, labor and religious organizations
would distribute a public service announcement and the department's "Clues for
Consumers," helpful tips for shoppers who want to support efforts to end
sweatshop working conditions.
The "Clues" and other important consumer information also
will be available on the World Wide Web through the Labor Department home page
(http://www.dol.gov). The department will distribute print ads to 10,000
newspapers, magazines and other publications in the coming weeks and ask for
free placement. Thirty-second radio spots will be available to radio stations
nationwide at 1-800-877-9002.
"Six months ago the country was horrified by the discovery
of workers held in slavery in a Southern California sweatshop," Reich said.
"Just weeks ago we discovered more workers actually locked in their garment
factory at night by the owners. And every working day in America we discover
still more garment workers cheated of their wages. The public is clamoring for
information so it can do its part to end this abuse."
Aggressive garment enforcement continues to uncover
widespread abuse of U.S. garment workers, Reich said. This year garment sweeps
in cities across the country revealed 283 contractors in violation, owing $1.2
million in back wages to more than 2,400 workers.
Also this year, a sweep of 11 garment shops in Dallas
revealed 82 percent of area contractors in violation of federal labor laws. In
Orange County, Calif., 80 percent of the garment shops investigated were found
in violation of overtime or minimum wage laws.
Since 1993, the Clinton administration has recovered more
than $7.3 million in back wages for more than 25,000 garment workers. Along
with increased enforcement efforts, the department has sought the assistance of
worker advocacy groups, consumers, retailers and manufacturers.
"There are manufacturers and retailers in the garment
industry that take worker issues seriously and are working with us to eliminate
the sweatshop menace," Reich said. "We want to congratulate those who are
making a difference for some of the most powerless workers in our society."
The department also salutes major retailers that monitor
or require their manufacturers to monitor garment contractors for labor law
compliance. Thirty-six retailers and manufacturers have been named to the
department's "Fair Labor Fashions Trendsetters" list based upon their
monitoring practices.
In August 1995 worker abuse in the garment industry
received national attention when Department of Labor and Immigration and
Naturalization Service investigators raided a sweatshop in El Monte, Calif.,
and found 72 Thai workers toiling in slave-like conditions for 16 to 22 hours a
day.
A study released last year by Marymount University in
Arlington, Va., found 78 percent of the consumers surveyed would avoid
retailers that sell sweatshop goods. The majority of those surveyed, 84
percent, also indicated they would pay more for garments they could be
guaranteed were not made in sweatshops.
Reich said his department has received more than 30,000
letters, phone calls and telegrams from the public asking how they might
support efforts to crackdown on sweatshops.
Archived News Release--Caution:
information may be out of date.
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