In the News

Clinton's Fast-Track Proposal Sells Out Labor and Environment

ILRF
09/17/1997

Pharis Harvey

After months of delay, the Clinton Administration announced yesterday a trade legislation package that constitutes a thumb in the eye to the Democratic party, the working people and the environmental interests of the United States. The proposed Fast Track bill would give the administration broad powers to negotiate trade agreements that lower trade barriers, protect U.S. investment overseas, and provide "strong protection" for intellectual property rights. Workers and the environment rated nothing more than an insult.

Stitching Footballs: Voices of Children in Sailkot, Pakistan

Save the Children, UK
04/30/1997

This report details a situation analysis of children working in football stitching around Sialkot, Pakistan. The analysis (1) examined the reasons that children work and the probable impact of eradicating children's involvement and phasing out home-based production and (2) determined a baseline for monitoring changes in children's and families' well-being as a result of a social protection program. Section 1 of the report describes the program developed to phase out children's involvement in football stitching and the study's goals.

Six Cents an Hour (1996 Life Article)

Life Magazine
03/28/1996

 

Learn about ILRF's current work on child labor here.

1996

As our jeep approaches the roadside shed in Mahotra, a village in northern Pakistan, I can see a dozen children and men stitching hexagonal leather pieces into Nike soccer balls. Twelve-year-old Tariq squats in front, having come out of the dank interior for air. At his feet are several white balls with the distinctive Nike swoosh that will soon be finding their way to stores and playing fields in the United States.

Violence against labour leaders during Presidential Run-Off Elections on the increase

ZCTU

The Zimbabwe Congress of Trade Unions (ZCTU) has learnt with dismay the harassment of labour leaders during the Presidential Run Off by ruling party militia, supporters and State security agents. The current information we have is:

1. The ZCTU district chairperson for Chivhu, Tinashe Murau, was seriously beaten up by Zanu PF militia just before the 27 June Presidential Runoff and has had his hand broken and is currently seeking medical attention. He was beaten after the militia questioned why he wears ZCTU t-shirts and attends ZCTU meetings.

US companies express alarm over priest’s slay

Manila Bulletin

At least seven big foreign-owned companies, including Wal-Mart, have expressed alarm over cases of killings, violence and attacks against workers on strike in Cavite.

In their joint letter on Nov. 7 to President Arroyo, the companies — American Eagle Outfitters, Gap Inc., Jones Apparel Group, Liz Claiborne Inc., PVH, Polo Ralph Lauren and Wal-Mart, expressed alarm on behalf of their companies over the "violent attacks on striking workers and the assaults and killings of labor rights promoters."

Your Valentine, Made in Prison

The Nation

By Beth Schwartzapfel

With Valentine's Day approaching, perhaps you're planning a trip to Victoria's Secret. If you're a conscientious shopper, chances are you want to know about the origins of the clothes you buy: whether they're sweatshop free or fairly traded or made in the USA. One label you won't find attached to your lingerie, however, is "Made in the USA: By Prisoners."

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