Sweatshops originated between 1830 to 1850. The Industrial Revolution brought demand for a greater number of lower paid workers to operate machinery, usually a dangerous and risky task then. As the 1900's approached, immigrants saw abundant job opportunities in sweatshops. These factories were poorly ventilated, crowded, infested with rats, and had many fire hazards.

It is hard to believe that with all the protests, demonstrations, and movements over the years, sweatshops are still owned and operated in America and all around the world. The reason for sweatshops hasn't changed- the need for easy mass production at a cheap price. These factories offer more than just cheap products; they offer low wages with no benefits, long hours, cramped working room, and unsanitary conditions. Most employees, 90% being womyn, work 12+ hours every day, seven days a week. Many of these employees are abused, raped, and assaulted so that they are scared into not leaving. Studies show that within all the garments sold on U.S. soil, about 83% are made offshore. 80% of toys, 90% of sporting goods, and 95% of shoes are made offshore as well. The Department of Labour estimates that there are over 10,000 sweatshops in our very own country, mostly found in California, New York, Dallas, Miami and Atlanta.


Here is a long list of overseas countries that have sweatshops in them.

-Bangladesh
-Burma
-Cambodia
-China
-Colombia
-Dominican Republic
-El Salvador
-Guatemala
-Haiti
-Honduras
-India
-Indonesia
-Jamaica
-Macau
-Malaysia
-Mexico
-Nicaragua
-Oman
-Pakistan
-Peru
-Philippines
-Romania
-Sri Lanka
-Thailand
-Turkey
-Vietnam


Supplied below is a short list of name brands that sell products made in sweatshops. It is highly encouraged to discontinue further support of these companies.
-Nike
-Phillips-Van Heusen
-Disney
-J.C. Penney
-Cherokee
-Sears
-The Limited
-Adidas
-Guess?
-The Gap
-Banana Republic
-Old Navy
-Abercrombie and Fitch
-Bugle Boy
-Eddie Bauer
-Tommy Hilfiger
-Reebok
-Levi Straus
-Liz Caliborne
-Ralph Lauren
-Mattel
-Wal-Mart
-Roohsing (Hong Kong clothing company)
-Kohl's
-J. Crew
-K-Mart

Here is a link that explains why some of these brands are considered to be sweatshop made: http://www.pbs.org/itvs/storewars/sweatshops.html


Ways you can bring about change:

1. Refuse to buy from stores that carry products made in sweatshop factories. Post signs and fliers notifying other shoppers that those stores support sweatshops.

2. Buy from union-made, local, secondhand, and independently-owned stores

3. Support Fair Trade: "Fair Trade is an economic system that ensures healthy working conditions, self-determination, and fair wages for workers. When you purchase Fair Trade products, you help ensure a sustainable livelihood for farmers and workers. Look for coffee, tea, chocolate/cocoa, bananas, mangoes, pineapples and other fresh fruit bearing the Fair Trade Certified label. If your supermarket or local health food store doesn't stock fair trade products, ask them to do so and explain why. At restaurants, suggest the addition of Fair Trade Certified coffee and tea to the menu. Also Fair Trade Certified sugar is now available as well."

4. Spread the word about sweatshops, what happens in them, and what stores carry sweatshop products. These links can assist you in doing so: http://www.coopamerica.org/PDF/GuideSweatshops.pdf
http://www.globalexchange.org/campaigns/sweatshops/sweatfreetoolkitcampaign.pdf





Sources:

http://www.en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sweatshop

The International Ladies' Garment Workers' Union:
http://www.en.wikipedia.org/wiki/International_Ladies%27_Garment_Workers%27_Union

National Labour Committee:
http://www.en.wikipedia.org/wiki/National_Labor_Committee

http://www.coopamerica.org/programs/sweatshops

http://www.geocities.com/whydoyoukeepdeletingme/ASSLLeague.html





Written by Dani Davis