No Sweat!

In December 2002, the Hamilton-Wentworth Catholic School Board in Ontario became the first school board in Canada to pass a No Sweat purchasing policy. This means that all school uniforms must be manufactured under safe, healthy and fair working conditions. Suppliers must demonstrate that none of their clothing is manufactured in sweatshops, which are very common in the garment industry. Sweatshop working conditions include excessively low wages, long working hours, hazardous working conditions, child labour, discrimination and abuse.

The victory in Hamilton followed a year-long campaign organized by students, parents, teachers and a non-profit organization, Development and Peace. While a step in the right direction, No Sweat activists argue that the policy does not go far enough in screening out sweatshop labour. Whereas the existing policy only requires manufacturers to disclose factory locations upon request, activists continue to push for full voluntary disclosure.

In the meantime, the Hamilton-Wentworth Catholic School Board’s experience is already serving as a model for other school boards. The Sault-Ste. Marie Catholic School Board won a similar victory, along with full public disclosure of factory locations. The York Catholic District School Board is considering adopting a similar policy, thanks to the efforts of St. Elizabeth High School students’ Social Justice Council, whose petition to adopt a uniform policy was endorsed by staff and students and presented to other high schools, as well as the board.

So congratulations to students like Christopher Longtin and Ashley Caputo, who are part of a growing movement of youth exerting one of their most influential strengths – consumer purchasing power. Such victories are inspiring reminders that taking action locally can bring about achievable results on a global scale, which profoundly impact the lives of others.

To view the Hamilton-Wentworth policy or download a guidebook on how to become a No Sweat school, visit the Maquila Solidarity Network at:

http://www.maquilasolidarity.org/nosweat/schools/index.htm