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Published in The Spectator, the student newspaper of the University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire;
Thursday, October 25, 2001
Stopping sweatshop labor
Kernaghan: Wal-Mart clothing workers mistreated
By Bill Olson
Charles Kernaghan held up a shirt purchased at Wal-Mart. "It has a
label that says 'Made in U.S.A.,'" he said, "But this
garment's got blood on it."
The shirt was made in American Samoa, Kernaghan said. Even though the
island is U.S. territory, it's not covered by American labor laws.
Wal-Mart has contracted with Vietnam to bring in workers to produce the
shirts for very low cost, he said.
When one of the women wasn't working hard enough in the sweatshop, the
manager told a guard to take her out and beat her, Kernaghan said.
"And if you kill her," Kernaghan said, quoting the manager,
"it'll be my responsibility."
The other women rushed to her defense, resulting in a fight.
"There was blood all over the factory," he said. "And
that's why I say this garment could literally have blood on it."
Kernaghan, Executive Director of the National
Labor Committee, is an advocate of workers who are exploited
overseas, making products for U.S. corporations.
Kernaghan spoke at the Forum lecture series Wednesday night. Topics
included the exploitation of sweatshop workers in Bangladesh and Central
America, and what Americans can do to stop the abuses.
"Young people all over the world — your age — are locked in
sweatshops, working 14 hours a day for pennies an hour," he said.
"They're not in a great school like this, but they're your age;
they're just like you."
Kernaghan said everyone should stop and question who makes the products
they purchase, how are they treated and how much they earn.
Kernaghan pulled out two University of Wisconsin caps that he said were
made in Bangladesh by workers earning 1.5 cents per cap. When the caps
arrive in the United States, the total production and shipping costs are
$1.23 per cap, but the university sells them for $17.95 each.
He then put out a petition for students to sign that urges the
university to improve the pay and working conditions of the workers
making the caps.
The reaction from students who attended the presentation was positive.
"Amazing," said freshman Jodi Bahmer. "It was very
powerful and makes you want to get involved."
Freshman Erica Chariton said, "It's astonishing to realize what's
going on in the world and to know that one person can actually reach out
and help."
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