Lucas County commissioners yesterday approved a resolution forbidding any county department from buying items from firms that use sweatshop labor or have inhumane working conditions. All three commissioners supported the measure, saying it’s a small step toward protecting U.S. workers and promoting workers’ rights abroad.

County Administrator Michael Beazley said the resolution would mostly affect the sheriff’s office, which has spent about $40,000 on prisoners’ uniforms in the last five years.

He said the county will enforce the resolution by requiring bidding companies to report if they use sweatshop labor and also by checking on them.

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