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News :: Miscellaneous |
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ISU President Boschini Releases Statement on Alleged Sweatshop |
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by Nick Berveiler
Email: naberve (nospam) ilstu.edu (unverified!) |
24 Oct 2001
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Illinois State University President Victor Boschini released the following statement today regarding allegations of workers rights violations at a Bangladesh apparel factory: |
It has come to my attention that a factory, Actor Sporting Limited of Dhaka, Bangladesh, has been accused of running what most of us would call a sweatshop—requiring employees to work long hours for pitiful pay, abusing workers physically and mentally and failing to recognize any semblance of workers rights. The charges are particularly distressing because the caps being made in this factory carry the names and symbols of many universities across the country, including Illinois State University.
Although the allegations have not yet been independently verified, it is important that we take appropriate action now. I have asked our licensing department to contact the Fair Labor Association (FLA) and the Workers Rights Consortium (WRC) to investigate these allegations and report back to the University. Illinois State was a founding member of the FLA and has more recently also aligned with the WRC. Both organizations take on the daunting challenge of investigating employment conditions at collegiate apparel factories and working to correct identified problems. Illinois State requires all of its licensees producing products for commercial sale to become members of the FLA and to adhere to the FLA code of conduct. Licensees must also disclose the names and locations of all their manufacturing facilities and contracts to both the FLA and WRC.
I have also asked our licensing department to contact the other universities associated with this factory to find out how they are responding to these allegations.
It is important to note that our goal is not to close down these factories, but to work with our umbrella organizations to resolve human rights issues and create a healthy environment for workers at the facilities. I also urge that our student groups associated with workers rights concerns take a proactive stance on this matter. |
