The presentation titled “undressing the global garment industry sweatshop labor and global justice”, would focus on the ways to be responsible consumers who promote economic justice through their purchasing power.

The college of arts and sciences, the departments of anthropology, geography and planning, sociology and sustainable development, the global studies program, and the offices of civic engagement and the quality enhancement plan would be sponsoring the presentation.

A 'sweatshop' is defined by the US department of labor as a factory that violates 2 or more labour laws. The situation of sweatshop manufacturing around the globe were brought to the attention of many people when in 2013 an eight storey building housing several garment factories collapsed in Dhaka, killing over 1,100 workers and garments destined to 15 international clothing outlets were found in the rubble.

Although the Dhaka tragedy brought momentary light to the working conditions in these factories in Bangladesh, factories in Thailand, Indonesia, China, Honduras and many more countries continue to operate under disgraceful conditions in the glooms of the global economic system.

The seminar will witness the presentation from Noi Supalai, an ex-garment worker and labour union organiser in the Eagle Speed garment factory in Bangkok, and Morgan Currier, a national organiser for the united students against sweatshops (USAS). Sharing some of her experiences Supalai would speak about garment factories and labour union efforts to improve safety and health standards, promote fair wages and secure the rights of workers in one of the most exploitative industries in the world, the university website said.

Supalai will make presentations about the work of the USAS, the worker rights consortium, and the Thai garment labor movement to address the low pay and deplorable working conditions that characterise significant sectors of the global garment industry. (NA)

Fibre2fashion News Desk - India