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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information may be out of date.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 today said recent steps
announced by some of the nation's most prominent retailers and manufacturers
will help the department make real progress in shutting U.S. sweatshops.
According to Reich, two retailers in particular have
announced significant changes in their compliance policies. Talbots and J.C.
Penney, leading national retailers, have announced new compliance programs that
will require their vendors to adopt monitoring procedures that will detect and
prevent sweatshop abuses.
Talbots Inc. indicates that its compliance policy will
require its suppliers to establish monitoring programs as a prerequisite to
doing business with the retailer. Previously, the company had only required its
vendors to agree to contract language stating they would not violate U.S. labor
laws. The new policy will require that all suppliers sign a notarized statement
verifying they have a program of monitoring their contract sewing shops and
other subcontractors.
"The new Talbots policy is tough and it is clear -- you
must actively work to prevent sweatshop abuses if you want to do work for our
company," Reich said. "I want to applaud the company. It is the kind of policy
we expect from leaders in the industry. I hope others will follow suit."
Reich also recognized a newly announced company policy at
J.C. Penney. The company announced recently it will suspend business with any
manufacturer or contractor found to be in violation of federal labor laws
unless the offender establishes an effective monitoring program. The new policy
creates real incentives for all the company's suppliers to adopt these
important monitoring programs, Reich said.
"J.C. Penney's policy is an important step in the battle
against sweatshops," Reich said. "The policy's emphasis on monitoring will send
a clear message to all the company's vendors that it too expects a more
proactive and preventive approach to dealing with labor law violations."
Other retailers and the nation's largest garment
manufacturing association have also announced tougher policies. Examples of
recent progress include:
K-Mart has expanded its policy to cover not only the
compliance of vendors contracted directly by the company, but to expressly
obligate its vendors to be responsible for their sub-contractors as well.
The American Apparel Manufacturers Association is now
offering its members access to a database service with information on
contractors and histories of compliance. The association's members, the largest
and most influential garment manufacturers in the nation, can use the
background checks in screening contractors, a step which could improve
compliance.
The National Retail Federation will sponsor an education
seminar on labor law compliance for retail suppliers in New York later this
month. The compliance seminar will serve to inform the Federation's domestic
suppliers of their legal obligations under the Fair Labor Standards Act. The
Federation is planning similar seminars later this year to be conducted in
California and Texas.
"Sweatshops and worker abuse are problems for the industry
and consumers. Its encouraging to see that the industry is responding to our
initiative to make the garment industry a more fair and safe workplace," Reich
said. I look forward to continued improvements in all of our efforts to wipe
out sweatshops."
Reich announced in New York last month that he will host a
Fashion Industry Forum in Washington on July 16. Major retailers,
manufacturers, worker representatives, celebrities and consumer organizations
will be on hand to discuss their ongoing efforts for better working conditions
and wages in the garment industry.
In Geneva last week for a meeting of the world's labor
leaders, Reich announced his agency is exploring an international label that
would assure consumers goods they purchase have not been made with child,
forced or exploited labor. He asked representatives from countries around the
globe to lend their assistance to this complicated but important effort.
Archived News Release--Caution:
information may be out of date.
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