In the News

Universal Declaration of Human Rights Celebrates 60 Years; Businesses still have long way to go

Corporate Social Responsibility Newswire
12/10/2008

On December 10, 1948, when adopting the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, the United Nations called on member country governments to 'expound' the UDHR. Now, on the Declaration's 60th anniversary, responsibility for promoting human rights protections has expanded to include the business community.

SWEATSHOPS

Gongwer Michigan Report
12/10/2008

SWEATSHOPS: Rep. Fred Miller (D-Mount Clemens) and Rep. Rebekah Warren (D-Ann Arbor) showed support Wednesday for an anti-sweatshop policy for the state. It was the 60th anniversary of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, and labor groups joined the lawmakers at the Capitol, requesting Governor Jennifer Granholm sign an Executive Order to establish a sweatshop-free procurement policy for Michigan.

CENTRAL AMERICA: Trade Unionists Face Deadly Dangers

Inter Press Service
12/10/2008

By Raúl Gutiérrez

Central America has become the world's most dangerous region for trade unionists, due to the increase in threats, torture, disappearances and murders, says a report by the International Labour Organisation (ILO).

These practices, absent from the region for a time, have reappeared, trampling on the rights of organised workers, the report indicates.

Human Rights: Wal-Mart among five worst companies

UNI Global Union
12/09/2008

Wal-Mart is among five companies spotlighted for their opposition to workers joining or forming trade unions around the world.

On the 60th anniversary of the signing of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, the International Labor Rights Forum has released “Working for Scrooge - 5 worst companies for the right to associate”.

The five are:

* Wal-Mart - for violating worker rights in the USA, Canada and elsewhere.

* Nestle - for violations in the Philippines, Colombia, Peru, Russia and Pakistan.

Workers to Highlight Employee Free Choice on Human Rights Day

AFL-CIO NOW Blog
12/09/2008

By James Parks

In hundreds of cities across the nation, workers will mark International Human Rights Day on Dec. 10 with a campaign to educate the public and build momentum to pass the Employee Free Choice Act. International Human Rights Day falls each year on the anniversary of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, which includes the freedom to form unions. This is the 60th anniversary of the declaration in 1948.

Revealed: child labour used to make NHS instruments

Guardian (UK)
12/08/2008

The surgical instrument manufacturing industry of Sialkot in Pakistan makes scalpels, scissors and other items for buyers all over the world – including Britain's NHS. Photograph: BMA Medical Fair and Ethical Trade Group

British hospitals are buying surgical instruments produced in dangerous working conditions in Pakistan using child workers as young as eight, the NHS has admitted. In some workshops, products such as scalpels, clamps and scissors to be used in NHS operations are made by workers paid as little as 170 rupees (£1.40) a day.

Report links Wal-Mart's school uniforms to Bangladesh sweatshops

New York Teacher
12/04/2008

 

NYSUT and the state Labor-Religion Coalition are sounding the alarm over a recent report that links a popular school-uniform clothing line sold at Wal-Mart to a Bangladeshi factory that forces its workers to labor in extreme sweatshop conditions.

The JMS Garments Factory in Chittagong, Bangladesh, produces school uniforms sold under the brand name "Faded Glory" school wear.

A report by SweatFree Communities — an anti-sweatshop group based in Bangor, Maine — says JMS is home to some of the world's worst working conditions...

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