Press Releases

For media inquiries please contact Rachel Cohen: racohen78 [at] gmail.com

Governor Corzine Joins National Anti-Sweatshop Initiative

09/13/06

New Jersey Governor Jon Corzine has announced that he will participate in a path-breaking governors’ initiative to end sweatshop exploitation in apparel and other industries. Proposed by Governor John Baldacci of Maine, the Governors’ Coalition for Sweatfree Procurement and Workers’ Rights will use state government procurement as a catalyst to level the playing field for ethical businesses and advance justice for sweatshop workers.

Special Delivery: Letters to Firestone in DC Area and in 36 States Highlight Company’s Abuses in Liberia

07/26/06

National Day of Action on Liberia’s Independence Day Urges Tire Giant to End Child Labor and Improve Conditions on Liberian Rubber Plantation

Washington, DC - To mark Liberia’s Independence Day, Liberian-Americans and concerned consumers from 36

states are joining Friends of the Earth, International Labor Rights Fund, Institute for Policy Studies, TransAfrica

Mother’s Day Brings Extra Strain for Colombian and Ecuadorian Women Workers

05/10/06

Mother's Day is the second biggest day for cut flower sales in the US, but this heightened demand by US consumers puts extra pressure on the Colombian and Ecuadorian workers, most of whom are women, who are already subjected to harsh working conditions by their employers.

The International Labor Rights Fund’s (ILRF) Fairness in Flowers Campaign has found that women flower workers in these countries suffer from discrimination, sexual harassment, and health problems caused by the many toxic pesticides used on the plantations.

The True Cost of Cotton

12/08/05

A report released today, “White Gold - The True Cost of Cotton” reveals the extent of environmental damage and human rights abuses caused by the cotton industry of Central Asia, mainly to supply European demand. The Environmental Justice Foundation (EJF) is calling on governments, retailers, buyers and consumers to refuse to buy cotton sold by Uzbekistan produced by forced labour at devastating environmental cost.

Human Rights Watchdog and Civil Rights Firm Sue Nestle, ADM, Cargill, for Using Forced Child Labor

07/14/05

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

CONTACT: Natacha Thys, Bama Athreya

202 347-4100, exts. 110, 106

HUMAN RIGHTS WATCHDOG AND CIVIL RIGHTS FIRM SUE NESTLE, ADM, CARGILL FOR USING FORCED CHILD LABOR,

Companies Import Cocoa Beans from Africa Harvested by Children

CHARGES INCLUDE TRAFFICKING, TORTURE, 14-HOUR DAYS

New Reports on Labor Conditions in Sugar Industry in Central America

06/29/05

ILRF and its partners are releasing new reports on labor rights violations of sugar workers in El Salvador, Guatemala, Costa Rica and Nicaragua. Over 1500 cane cutters and sugar refinery workers were interviewed throughout these countries. The research for these reports was conducted in early 2005 and thus reflects recent and ongoing abuses of workers in the Central American sugar industry.

Chocolate Firms Join Bush Admin. in Effort to Prevent Enforcement of Laws Banning Import of Goods Made With Forced Child Labor

02/09/05

Major US chocolate makers, including M&M/Mars, Hershey's and others, have asked to join the US Customs Service as defendants in a human rights suit that demands the US government enforce its own trade laws prohiting the importation of goods made with child/slave labor.

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