Overview: United Students against Sweatshops (USAS) Proposal

2006

• Background
• Current system works on a complaint basis –
• Once a complaint of non-compliance is made, the WRC and/or FLA investigate the allegation.
• The USAS proposal is motivated by concern that monitoring of workplace conditions at the factory level is difficult and compliance hard to measure.
• Also, there is a growing trend for brands to move production to low-cost suppliers who may not meet codes.
• This undermines the incentives workers and plants have to push for improved working conditions.
• Proposal Overview
• To address these issues, the United Students Against Sweatshops has put forward a Designated Suppliers Program.
• The program is based on the principle of ex ante accreditation, rather than ex post investigation of alleged abuses.
• In addition to complying with local laws, accreditation requires:
• Firms to pay a living wage;
• Two-thirds of production to be for university licensees or others who adhere to the same codes; and
• Legitimate worker representation.
• How Proposed Plan Changes Existing Standards
• Creates Designated Suppliers
• Currently, the WRC and FLA investigate complaints of non-compliance and violations.
• The proposal requires the WRC to accredit a plant as being in compliance, as stated above.
• Universities can only purchase products from suppliers that are accredited by the WRC.
• Mandates a living wage
• Currently, plants are required to adhere to all local minimum wage laws and rules and regulation regarding wages.
• The proposed plan mandates that the factory must demonstrate that its employees are paid a living wage.
• Requires Union Representation
• Current policies endorse the concept of free association.
• The proposed plan requires that employees be represented by a legitimate, representative labor union or other representative employee body.