Group alleges labor abuse
Public employee uniform makers accused of dealing with sweatshops
July 3, 2008
Baltimore Sun
By Lynn Anderson, Sun reporter
The
state of Maryland has contracts with at least four public employee
uniform companies that allegedly use sweatshop labor to turn out
inexpensive shirts, jackets and pants, according to a report by
SweatFree Communities, a group that wants to create a consortium of
federal, state and local governments that oppose such labor practices.
In
the first report of its kind, SweatFree Communities reached out to
workers in factories in China, Bangladesh, Honduras and several other
nations to gauge working conditions. In factories in China, workers
said they haven't been paid in months, the report said. In Bangladesh,
workers said they are verbally abused and forced to work many extra
hours. In Honduras, workers are so afraid of retribution that most
refused to speak with interviewers, the report said.
Companies that do business with sweatshops in those countries, and also have contracts with Maryland public agencies, are the Bob Barker Co., Cintas Corp.,
Lion Apparel and Rocky Shoes, according to SweatFree Communities. The
companies denied yesterday that they foster sweatshop labor practices.
The
author of the report, Bjorn Claeson, said yesterday that it is unclear
that clothing made in foreign sweatshops is coming to Maryland.
However, he said it was troubling that the state does business with
companies that do not treat their employees fairly.
"What
we found was very abusive factory conditions everywhere we looked,"
Claeson said. "Sweatshops and severe labor violations are pervasive in
the uniform industry."
Maryland Del. Joanne C. Benson, a Democrat from Prince George's County,
introduced legislation during the 2008 General Assembly to require
contractors doing business with the state to adhere to an
anti-sweatshop code of conduct. However, a legislative committee
watered down the bill with so many amendments that she and other
sponsors decided to pull it. Benson said she would renew efforts to
pass such legislation next year. She said she was hoping to meet with Gov. Martin O'Malley
to discuss the legislation.
"I find it reprehensible that we are patronizing companies that are so disrespectful to workers," Benson said.
Company
representatives defended their business practices yesterday. While some
denied the existence of sweatshop tactics in factories with which they
do business, others chose not to comment on the report and instead
played up their firms' efforts to support human rights.
"Rocky
Brands is committed to supporting human rights worldwide, and we expect
the same from our business partners," said Brandon Puttbrese, a
spokesman for Rocky Shoes. "As a condition of doing business, Rocky
regularly audits all of our vendor facilities to ensure they are in
compliance with our standards."
Bob Barker President Robert
Barker Jr. said that that his company does business only with suppliers
that "share our commitment to the health and safety of those working in
this industry. We do not condone, and have never been involved with,
any violation of labor laws."
A spokeswoman for Cintas said
the company expects its vendors to adhere to a code of conduct that is
more stringent than most local laws. "All of our vendors and suppliers
are audited annually," said the spokeswoman, Heather Trainer.
Telephone calls to a representative for Lion Apparel were not returned.
A
spokesman for the O'Malley administration said that the governor
supported fair labor practices. "Any regulation that could help achieve
that, he would certainly consider," said Shaun Adamec, an O'Malley
spokesman.
