SweatFree Smith sponsors event about labor conditions in Central America

Tuesday, March 1, 2007 The Smith College Sophian
By Leighanne Noonan

Smith students got the chance to learn about the different lives, experiences and circumstances of women from various parts of the world this past week. SweatFree Smith, a group within SSJIC, hosted Rosa Isabel Davila Alonzo and Maria Elena Mendina Vallejo from Nueva Vida Women's Sewing Cooperative in Nicaragua. The group also hosted Gilberto Garcia, from the Center for Labor Studies and Support and Just Garments in El Salvador. The women spoke about their experiences with labor in Central America.

This event was important because, according to SweatFree Smith member Lynnea Domienik '09, students could connect to these voices. "There are efforts at Smith and at universities, colleges and communities across the country to support the struggles of workers in the factories where school apparel is produced," said Domienik. "Meeting and hearing from people themselves what some of those struggles are is a powerful way to gain support for their efforts and the organizing happening at Smith."

Vallejo, Alonzo and Garcia all spoke through a translator about their lives working and trying to survive in the labor environment of the global south. They are working to spread knowledge about the effects of multinational corporations on smaller workers and producers. According to these women's experiences, as small groups struggle and make advances, corporations pull out of these countries. Workers unionize for better conditions, wages and standards, and institutions leave rather than complying.

Rosa and Maria Elena testified to the tough conditions in the factories of Nicaragua. After working under these conditions for a substantial amount of time they joined their own private cooperative. Following Hurricane Mitch these and other women, with the help of a non-governmental organization, developed the first and only worker owned fair trade zone in Nicaragua. These women worked to build their own factory for the first two years. They then continued to try to keep the factory running under hard conditions and with few orders coming in.

Domienik stated that their experiences are integral to spreading awareness. "It is important because as Gilberto Garcia mentioned, there are many factories where workers are making gains and conditions are improving, and that needs to be supported and encouraged…signing onto and supporting the designated suppliers program (DSP) is very important. It is a program designed to source university apparel purchasing from factories where workers have made gains in regards to wages, benefits, safety, women's rights, etc."

Domienik and SweatFree Smith hopes that this event will cause the Smith community to "feel invigorated about working together with people who make university apparel and to support their efforts to improve their working conditions and lives." She also hopes that students will "learn a little bit about some of the ways that students and consumers have power and can influence change in the global garment industry."

The education about sweat free conditions will continue on campus. "There is going to be a United Students Against Sweatshops conference the first weekend in March," said Domienik. "This is a great opportunity to learn more about the DSP, about campaigns and organizing." SweatFree encourages the community to attend these events and promote awareness and learning about these issues.