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Monday, 8/25/97 ASUCLA to implement 'no sweatshop policy' for purchases ASUCLA: New guidelines forbid use of forced labor and under-aged workers

By Hannah Miller Daily Bruin Senior Staff Following President Clinton's lead, the Associated Students of UCLA (ASUCLA) pledged Friday not to purchase or sell goods produced under sweatshop conditions. ASUCLA will use guidelines Clinton set last April, and rely on Department of Labor investigations to monitor manufacturers. "We're passing this to do what other college campuses are already doing," said undergraduate representative Margarita Gonzales, "to raise awareness (about sweatshop labor)." Recently, it has come to light that major American apparel manufacturers, including Nike and Guess?, have employed underage workers in inhumane conditions in overseas plants. The ASUCLA policy, passed by a 9-0 vote (with one abstention), will apply Clinton's guidelines to all the products they sell. The effects should not be huge, as "the bulk of our manufactured apparel is domestic," said Executive Director Patricia Eastman. The guidelines forbid the use of forced labor, employees under 15 years of age, and mandatory overtime greater than 12 hours per week. Companies also must pay a nation's minimum wage and provide employees with a "safe and healthy" working environment. Although President Clinton's task force set these guidelines with the help of some major clothing manufacturers, they are not law and carry no penalties if broken. In addition, the Apparel Industry Partnership that Clinton led faced its strongest opposition when it came to actually monitoring business practices. Where the agreement stands, it is still largely up to businesses to police themselves. Although allegations against sweatshops have been substantiated, the only prosecution that manufacturers have yet faced has been a few civil lawsuits, individually filed by employees. Like many clothing retailers, including the Walt Disney Co. and The Limited, UCLA buys clothing from garment manufacturers and adds its signature label. But buying from domestic sources only may not be enough. Although sweatshop labor has been illegal in the United States for 85 years, last year the Labor Department found that half of all U.S. garment factories violate labor laws, many by paying less than minimum wage. ASUCLA board members expressed worry about the broad wording and implementation of the policy. "If these guidelines were read specifically, they could be used against Arabic countries, which may have practices that someone could consider to be religious or sexual discrimination," said Dave Kopplin. "It's too easy to take a policy and use it arbitrarily." In addition to the other provisions, the guidelines forbid discrimination on the basis of gender, race, religion, age, disability, sexual orientation, nationality, political opinion, or social or ethnic origin. ASUCLA makes more than $56 million per year in its retail operations, of which more than $9 million is in apparel and accessories. That's out of a budget of approximately $80 million. ASUCLA plies its wares at the Student Store, the Lu Valle Commons Store, the Student Store and the Health Sciences Store, as well as off-campus stores at Universal Citywalk and elsewhere. The policy requires ASUCLA to notify all its suppliers of the new guidelines and requires eventual discontinuation of business if they are not complied with. Related Link Associated Students of UCLA Previous Daily Bruin Story Immigration bill may hurt state economy