Sweatshop Workers Call on Portland to Pass "Sweatfree"¯ Bill
Media Advisory
Contact: Deborah Schwartz
Monday, February 19, 2007
(503) 236-7916
Sweatshop Workers, Labor Leaders, and Human Rights Advocates Rally Outside City Hall in Support of a Sweatfree Procurement Policy
WHAT: Sweatshop workers from India and Colombia will speak outside Portland City Hall in support of a proposed sweatfree procurement policy that would ensure textiles and other products purchased by the city are produced under safe and humane working conditions.
Local labor leaders, human rights advocates, city employees and Oregon Labor Commissioner Dan Gardner will also participate in a rally calling upon City Council to pass a sweatfree ordinance.
This rally comes after the recent release of an analysis by the Portland Sweatfree Campaign documenting that the City of Portland is buying goods from companies known to have been supplied by subcontractors accused of labor and human rights abuses.
WHO: Kotagarahalli Jayaram, a sweatshop garment worker from India that produces clothing for Wal-Mart
Beatriz Fuentes, leader of the Colombian flower workers union SINTRASPLENDOR
Gloria Gonzalez, Representative of HERE Local 9
Ed Hall, Vice President, Portland Fire Fighters Association
Dan Gardner, Oregon’s Labor Commissioner
WHEN: Monday, February 19, 2007 12:00 noon – 1:00 pm
WHERE: In front of Portland City Hall 1221 SW 4th Ave (between Madison and Jefferson) Portland, OR
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