June 21, 2007
University signs on to anti-sweatshop program
The UW has become a signatory to the Designated Suppliers Program of the Worker Rights Consortium, which works to assure that all University-licensed apparel is made in factories meeting specific criteria regarding fair labor practices.
“The University of Washington has long supported the responsible treatment of workers who produce University-licensed goods,” said UW President Mark A. Emmert. “We are joining the Designated Suppliers Program Working Group, as a member, to collaborate with other colleges and universities to help create the conditions necessary to move the program forward in the future.”
Students at the UW have been active in encouraging the University to commit to implementing the Designated Suppliers Program. The Sweat Free Coalition and the Student Labor Action Project were instrumental in raising awareness of the program and the problems in sweatshops around the world the program seeks to remedy. Students brought the issue to the attention of Emmert and requested that the University commit to the program.
The Designated Suppliers Program requires university licensees to meet a number of requirements in factories that produce the licensed goods, including: allowing the freedom of association for workers, paying a living wage and prohibiting sexual harassment. A more complete description of the program is available at http://www.workersrights.org/dsp.asp.
The UW joins 35 other universities as a signatory to the program. Emmert will shortly name a UW staff member to represent the UW at the program’s working group, as well as a student observer. The working group is planning the implementation of the program.
“The UW is committed to work seriously towards implementation of the Designated Suppliers Program,” Emmert said.
“Through the partnership that has been forged between the Sweat Free Coalition and the UW administration, we will ensure that the University upholds its vision statement and becomes a responsible global citizen,” said Nell Abercrombie, a member of the Student Labor Action Project and a women studies major.
