WELCOME TO THE ARCHIVE (1994-2014) OF THE MAQUILA SOLIDARITY NETWORK. For current information on our ongoing work on the living wage, women's labour rights, freedom of association, corporate accountability and Bangladesh fire and safety, please visit our new website, launched in October, 2015: www.maquilasolidarity.org
From 2000 to 2008 MSN and our coalition partners in the Ethical Trading Action Group (ETAG) supported and participated in campaigns for the adoption of “No Sweat” ethical apparel licensing and purchasing policies by public institutions, including universities, school boards, and municipal and provincial governments.
We don't usually think of our public institutions as a source of 'consumer power', but they buy far more apparel than we do as an individual consumer. The buying power of your school, university, city or other public institution can help improve conditions in an industry where sweatshops are too often the norm.
"No Sweat" policies set minimum labour standards that companies have to meet in order to sell apparel products to these major public institutions. By using the market power of major public institutions to pressure apparel companies, a No Sweat policy can be a powerful tool to assist workers in winning better working conditions and respect for their rights.
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