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Archived News Release--Caution:
information may be out of date.
For more information call: 202/219-8211
The Department of Labor's initiative to end sweatshops moved into a
newphase following a meeting today at the White House with President Bill
Clinton andapparel and footwear industry executives who committed themselves to
developingstrategies for informing American consumers that the clothes and
products they makedo not exploit workers. This voluntary effort follows the
successful Fashion IndustryForum, held in July and organized by Secretary of
Labor Robert B. Reich and willinclude manufacturers, retailers, designers,
union representatives and human rightsactivists.
"This public commitment to develop options to educate consumers about
how goods are produced is a real breakthrough in the battle against sweatshops
at homeand against abusive working conditions worldwide," Reich said.
Exactly one year after Department of Labor investigators found more
than 70Thai workers held in virtual slavery at a garment sweatshop in El Monte,
Calif., someof the biggest and most recognizable names in the apparel and
footwear industries,along with leaders from organized labor, consumer
advocates, human rightsorganizations and religious groups met with the
President. Their purpose: to developan industry-driven partnership initiative
that will assure that their products are madein compliance with acceptable
labor standards; and to communicate to Americanconsumers that the clothes and
shoes they purchase are made under decent workingconditions.
Along with the President and Secretary Reich, other members of the
administrationattending the meeting included Vice President Al Gore and
Secretary of CommerceMicky Kantor. Representatives from companies included
Nike, Liz Claiborne,Warnaco, Phillips Van Heusen, LL Bean, Tweeds, Patagonia
and Nicole Miller. Inaddition, Senator Tom Harkin, Rep. George Miller, Kathie
Lee Gifford and leadersfrom UNITE, the Retail, Wholesale, Department Store
Union, the Interfaith Centeron Corporate Responsibility and the Lawyers
Committee for Human Rights alsoparticipated.
At a Rose Garden ceremony immediately following an industry meeting
withthe administration, Reich said that "three years ago, when we began our
anti-sweatshop initiative, our most formidable adversaries were three little
words; 'not myproblem.' Not any more. Today, these leaders of major garment and
footwearcompanies are stepping forward to say that sweatshops and abusive labor
conditionsare everyone's problem--and that it's everyone's responsibility to be
part of thesolution."
Representatives from the group will begin meeting next week to
developconsumer education efforts that may include labels, rack displays, store
signs andother means of getting information directly to consumers at the point
of purchase. The entire group will report back to President Clinton within six
months.
Archived News Release--Caution:
information may be out of date.
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