Labor is Not a Commodity

Wal-Mart Speaking Tour visits Dover, OH

By Melissa Campbell, President, USW Local 2737 in Dover, Ohio

 

It was a great privilege to be a part of hosting an event on the 2008 Wal-Mart Sweatshop Workers Speaking Tour here in Tuscarawas County. Thanks to SFC and ILRF for taking such an important issue on the road here in Ohio.

In the crowd of more than 70, there were students, teachers, immigrant community activists, union members, and local concerned citizens in attendance.

Phal Savin (second from left) and Didier Leitón (second from right), sweatshop workers from Cambodia and Costa Rica, spoke on April 9, 2008 at the Family Life Center of St. Joseph Catholic Church. They explained the hardships of low pay, retaliation, and lack of oversight for sweatshop workers around the world. Sponsored by SweatFree Communities, International Labor Rights Forum, USW District 1 and USW Local 2737, Ohio Conference on Fair Trade and the Tuscarawas Co. AFL-CIO. Read the local newspaper story here.

Wal-Mart Sweatshop Workers Speaking Tour

By Trina Tocco, International Labor Rights Form

I'm about to head out on a 2 week adventure across Michigan and Ohio on a speaking tour featuring workers from Cambodia and Costa Rica.

So for all of you in Michigan and Ohio, check out this link and come to an event in your area. 

What Should We Do About Wal-Mart?

By Trina Tocco, Campaigns Coordinator at International Labor Rights Forum

Right now I am just so angry at the idea that Wal-Mart spends so much of its energy trying to convince suppliers to reduce packaging, energy use and other practices that cause environmental harm.  On the other hand, it still struggles to actively engage in more than one factory case a year.  Somehow it has time and money to hire a consultant to train Chinese suppliers on being more energy efficient and yet it doesn't have the ability to make sure its workers are being paid the legal minimum wages at their factories in China.

So I ask you, what should ILRF be doing to have a greater impact on Wal-Mart?  What have you seen other organizations do well that you would like us to consider?

Another World is Possible!

In response to the call for a global week of action during the week of January 21-26, 2008 initiated by the World Social Forum, the Labor is Not a Commodity blog will feature articles throughout the week related to the theme: "Another World is Possible: International Labor Solidarity Success Stories."

We will be sharing stories about when people around the world came together to support workers' rights and how different individuals and organizations are successfully protecting labor rights globally.  Keep checking throughout the week for inspiring updates.

We also want to hear your stories!  You can contribute blog entries about successful labor campaigns by sending your stories to Tim at tim.newman[at]ilrf.org -- the sooner the better!

Haga clic abajo para espanol.

What Would Jesus Buy?

Tim Newman, Campaigns Assistant, International Labor Rights Forum

The new documentary What Would Jesus Buy? follows a street theater activist group as they go on a cross-country mission to save Christmas from the Shopocalypse: the end of mankind from consumerism, over-consumption and the fires of eternal debt!  Reverend Billy and the Church of Stop Shopping Gospel Choir use retail interventions, corporate exorcisms, and some good old-fashioned preaching to spread the word about the impacts of consumerism on the environment and labor rights from Wal-Mart to the Mall of America to Disneyland and beyond!

For folks in the DC area, you can see the film this weekend at the Dupont Circle cinema.  Rev. Billy himself will be in attendance for a question and answer session after the screening on Saturday night at 7:15PM!  For readers outside of the DC area, you an check out a list of other screenings here.  Keep reading for more information.

Which Companies are Naughty vs. Nice?

Liana Foxvog, National Organizer, SweatFree Communities

The most common questions that I get as an anti-sweatshop activist are: Where can I buy sweatfree? Which companies should I avoid?

This is the list that I point people to while emphasizing that the way that we can really have an effect is by joining active campaigns and by sending a strong public message to companies that violate labor rights.

For this year's holiday shopping season release, we've created a new list to accompany the Shop with a Conscience Consumer Guide. It's the Sweatshop Hall of Shame. So, take a few minutes to browse the Sweatshop Hall of Shame and take the suggested action steps. And if you're looking for Christmas gifts, don't forget to check out our list of sweatfree retailers.

Check out the Guide HERE: http://www.sweatfree.org/shopping

Keep reading to see the Sweatshop Hall of Shame list.

Putting a Lid on Big Boxes

Laura Karr, Campaigns Intern, International Labor Rights Forum

SIGN UP FOR THE INTERNATIONAL DAY OF ACTION AGAINST SUPERMARKETS AND BIG BOX RETAILERS ON NOVEMBER 17^TH!

This Saturday, activist groups, community organizations and concerned individuals around the world will raise a collective voice against the destructive policies of chain supermarkets and big box retailers. This International Day of Action is bringing together groups fromArgentina to Belgium and issue areas from environmental protection to the continued viability of local economies in order to take on a single common enemy: Chains, big box stores and the destructive effects that they leave in their wake.

China's Real Toy Story

Tim Newman, Campaigns Assistant, International Labor Rights Forum

Have you been following the recalls of toys produced in China?  So have we!  Unfortunately, much of the media coverage does not address the effect these products are having on the health of workers who produce them.  Also, what about the retailers (for example, Wal-Mart) who put so much pressure on suppliers to produce cheap goods that health, environmental and labor protections get brushed aside?

For a different perspective on this hot topic, check out the testimony given by ILRF Executive Director, Bama Athreya, before the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science and Transportation today.  The hearing focused on "Sweatshop Conditions in the Chinese Toy Industry."

ILRF Critiques Wal-Mart's Sourcing Practices

By Michelle Jacome, ILRF intern

Today, on the second year anniversary of the “21st Century Leadership" speech made by Mr. Lee Scott, Wal-Mart CEO, the International Labor Rights Forum is releasing a report on Ethical Standards and Working Conditions in Wal-Mart’s Supply Chain.  The report raises awareness about the harsh working conditions that many Wal-Mart workers suffer worldwide. 

ILRF questions “Wal-Mart’s role in providing accountability for activities within factories that it purchases from, and its responsibility to find solutions as opposed to merely identifying problems.”   

The report concludes that Wal-Mart has not invested the necessary resources or taken the necessary actions to ensure that its Ethical Standards Program is not only on paper but actually enforced. 

The report is available at: www.laborrights.org/publications/WMEthicalsourcing102407.pdf

The "Rising Tide of Violence" Against Trade Unions

Tim Newman, Campaigns Assistant, International Labor Rights Forum

The International Trade Union Confederation just released their 2007 Annual Survey of Violations of Trade Union Rights.  The annual survey compiles statistics and information from all over the world about violations of workers' right to organize.  This year's report found that in 2006:

• The number of murdered trade union activists rose to 144 from 115 in 2005
• 832 trade unionists were injured, tortured or beaten
• About 5,000 workers were arrested and 500 were jailed
• Colombia continues to be the most dangerous country for union organizing, accounting for more than half of the world's total of trade union murders in 2006
• The Philippines continues to be a major cause of concern as at least 33 unionists were killed in "an orgy of extrajudicial violence"

Keep reading to find out more.