Garment Workers Reject Proposed Minimum Wage in Bangladesh

Asia Pulse

09/14/2006

By Narayabganj

Thousands of garment workers staged violent demonstrations in Narayanganj industrial area Wednesday demanding minimum wages at Tk 3,000 (US$43.60), rejecting the Wage Board's recommendation of Tk 1,604, released Tuesday. The National Minimum Wage Board formulated a draft proposal fixing minimum wages for the workers in the export-oriented garment sector at Tk 1,604 at entry level. However, this recommendation was not a consensus decision.

Prison Labor: The New Slavery

New America Media

09/18/2006

By Chris Levister

As a child Ayana Cole dreamed of becoming a world class fashion designer. Today she is among hundreds of inmates crowded in an Oregon prison factory cranking out designer jeans. For her labor she is paid 45 cents an hour. At a chic Beverly Hills boutique some of the beaded creations carry a $350 price tag. In fact the jeans labeled "Prison Blues" -- proved so popular last year

Codes Don't Work

Inside Higher Education

09/28/2006

By Scott Jaschik

After the anti-sweatshop movement grew on campuses a decade ago, a framework arose for resolving protests and making it possible for colleges to continue to enjoy revenue from licensing their logos for use on clothing and other products.

Nike to the Rescue?

Dollars and Sense Magazine

09/01/2006

Africa needs better jobs, not sweatshops.

Governor Corzine Joins National Anti-Sweatshop Initiative

09/13/06

New Jersey Governor Jon Corzine has announced that he will participate in a path-breaking governors’ initiative to end sweatshop exploitation in apparel and other industries. Proposed by Governor John Baldacci of Maine, the Governors’ Coalition for Sweatfree Procurement and Workers’ Rights will use state government procurement as a catalyst to level the playing field for ethical businesses and advance justice for sweatshop workers.

Hey, Nice Clothes. But Are They Ethical?

10/15/2006

By Stephanie Hanes

Last year, Anna Tsoeu was unable to send much needed money to her family after being laid off from her textile factory job in this poor southern African country.

Lesotho's key industry was collapsing as factories cut about 10,000 jobs after Chinese imports flooded the market.

Now Tsoeu is working again, packaging shirts for brands like Old Navy.

Wal-Mart brings with it a hidden price that we are all paying

Citizen-Times.com

04/11/2006

By Lotte Meyerson

Inspi(red) idea, unexplo(red) power;

Los Angeles Times

10/26/2006

By Dan Turner

BETTER RED than dead. That's what I figured when I stopped by a Gap store the day after Project Red's Oct. 13 U.S. launch to pick up a T-shirt and, incidentally, save the world.

Labor-Bangladesh: Garment Exports Thrive on Dirt Wages

Inter Press Service

01/29/2006

By Qurratulain Ain Tahmina

Bangladesh's garment industry may have survived the quota-free global trade regime, but the $8 billion dollar profit it posted in the last fiscal year was built on the backs of 2 million workers barely able to keep body and soul together on dirt wages.

Cart Blanche? The Megamarket's Savings Don't Come Cheap

Washington Post

04/13/2006

By Bob Thompson

It's just a big old sack of dog food, for crying out loud, but Charles Fishman can hardly restrain himself: "Fifty pounds for $13.82! That's amazing!" the author of "The Wal-Mart Effect" bursts out. "That's less than 30 cents a pound!"

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