In the News

Washington may become ‘sweatfree’

The Daily Evergreen
09/30/2009

 

Excerpt from article:

Two years ago, WSU students joined a long line of college activists to protest Cougar gear made in sweatshops. In cardboard boxes emblazoned with their battle cry – “I’d Rather Go Naked than Wear Sweatshop Clothing” – Progressive Student Union members prepared to fight.

However, the fight was not to be had. WSU officials were already considering going sweatfree and signed a policy within a week, said Alyce Anderson, WSU trademark department program administrative manager.

Guinea under fire after scores killed in crackdown

AFP
09/28/2009

CONAKRY — International condemnation mounted Tuesday after security forces in the world's top bauxite producer Guinea shot dead least 87 people protesting against a junta leader who seized power in December.

The outcry boiled over amid reports that troops were reportedly removing bodies in the seaside capital Conakry to hide the scale of the bloodshed.

"There are 87 bodies that were collected in and around the stadium after the military came through," a police source said, referring to the venue of Monday's rally and speaking on condition of anonymity.

Foreign garment buyers urged to contribute to worker wages

Financial Times
09/27/2009

Foreign garment buyers are being asked to pay a few cents more for garments bought from Asian countries, including Sri Lanka – to help pay decent wages to garment workers. Worker representative groups in major Asian garment producing countries are launching a campaign called the ‘Asian Floor Wage Campaign’ in October, targeting international garment buying companies.

Hard truths about Uzbek cotton

LA Times
09/25/2009

The strongman regime is making huge profits on the backs of the nation's children while ignoring calls to halt its violations of international labor regulations.

As youngsters in the United States return to school, children in Uzbekistan will be returning to the fields. For them, it is the autumn cotton harvest. From now through the end of November, instead of attending classes, 2 million Uzbek children ages 6 to 15 will be forced to spend their days picking cotton.

‘Exhibit A’–gunshot scars–shocks ILO team

Philippines Daily Inquirer
09/25/2009

By Nikko Dizon

MANILA, Philippines — “Exhibit A” was labor leader Joel Ascutia’s scars from gunshot wounds he sustained on July 13 during a strike by public transportation drivers in Bicol.

Panel members of a high-level International Labor Organization (ILO) fact-finding mission were “shocked” during the hearing they conducted on Wednesday night, Elmer Labog, chair of the Kilusang Mayo Uno (KMU), told the Philippine Daily Inquirer Thursday.

Blood Cotton

Independent World Report
09/25/2009

By Tasneem Khalil

This is one of the most shocking stories of forced labour that involves children.

The setting of this story is the Central Asian republic of Uzbekistan – one of the most brutal among post-Soviet dictatorships. The Islam Karimov regime is notorious for its ruthless repression of any kind of opposition or threat – political, social or economic.

Vilsack Names Members to Child and Forced Labor Consultative Group

US Department of Agriculture
09/23/2009

WASHINGTON, Sept. 23 2009-Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack today announced that he has appointed 13 members to the Consultative Group to Eliminate the Use of Child Labor and Forced Labor in Imported Agricultural Products, which was established by the 2008 Farm Bill.

"Child and forced labor remain significant problems in many parts of the world," said Vilsack. "The expertise and unique knowledge provided by these members will be instrumental in our efforts to reduce the use of these forms of labor in agricultural industries benefiting from these practices."

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