The photo on the left is my contribution to the netsquared iwantchange group. To find out how you can participate, check out Marnie Webb's post about it.
Why are we holding a sign that says "Buy Made in Cambodia Clothes?"
Cambodia has become a big player as a garment exporter by passing labor laws, providing decent conditions in factories, offering benefits we take for granted in us (vacation, maternity leave, paid overtime) and working with socially responsibility companies that sell clothing.
Now that the Multifiber Agreement (a vast package of tariffs and quotas that had the effect of keeping China’s garmnent industy in check) has been eleminated, sweatshop free is expensive and less competitive. So, take a look at those "Made In" labels in your closet and consider it when you're out shopping for clothing. If you are wearing "Made in Cambodia," feel good because it was probably made by a woman (garment workers are mostly female) in good working conditions and being paid livable wages.
I was reminded again about this issue again recently from this post: www.ethanzuckerman.com/blog/?p=307
For more information about Sweatshop Free Cambodia:
NY Times Article about Cambodia garment industry
Sweatshop Free Campaign
Post about Rachel Louise Snyder
This American Life Radio piece by Synder
Article on Salon by Rachel Louise Synder
Technorati Tags: net2, cambodia, sweatshopfree