Lucas Co. commissioners consider sweatshop policy

Toledo, OH -- New policy would require sweatshop-free labor in county buying programs

Lucas County is turning the heat on for sweatshops. Commissioner Ben Konop, labor leaders and workers rights activists today rallied in support of a newly proposed sweatshop-free policy.

Under it, contractors would have to certify they aren't using sweatshop labor in the production of materials they buy with Lucas County tax dollars.

Officials say right now, Lucas County has at least one contract with an out-of-state company that's been linked to sweatshop labor. Ben Konop said, "We're excited to be passing one of the most progressive and aggressive anti-sweatshop pieces of legislation in the country and hopefully lead to less and less companies using sweatshops nationally."

The resolution is up for vote at tomorrow's commissioners meeting.