February 8, 2006

After three years of campaigning led by Toronto catholic school students, the Toronto Catholic District School Board (TCDSB) passed a "Sweatshop-Free Uniform Policy" February 8th which sets minimum standards for suppliers of apparel to area schools.

An initial policy was passed last November but at the urging of manufacturers the trustees removed requirements for public disclosure of factory locations and independent verification of working conditions.

After a vigorous and sustained lobby and protest campaign by students, teachers, priests, and trustees supported by the Maquila Solidarity Network and the Canadian Catholic Organization for Development and Peace, the TCDSB voted unanimously to revise its policy to apply to all apparel purchased by the Board and to require full public disclosure. In addition, the TCDSB voted to join eight other Ontario catholic school boards in a two-year pilot project with the Worker Rights Consortium to verify conditions in supplier factories.

Trustees repeatedly cited the student leadership and dedication to the issue as the main reason for adopting the revised policy.

• A copy of the TCDSB "Sweatshop-Free Uniform Policy" is available here.
• To develop a No Sweat policy at your own school, see How to Become a No Sweat School.
• Read more about No Sweat campaigns