Research & Reports

Enemies of the Nation or Human Rights Defenders? Fighting Poverty Wages in Bangladesh
This report chronicles a government campaign, propped up by apparel factories, to shut down the Bangladesh Center for Worker Solidarity, as part of a larger effort to quell worker resistance to abysmal working conditions and abominably low wages. The repression was ongoing at the time of writing. (November 1, 2010)

Toxic Uniforms: Behind the "Made in USA" Label
"Made in USA" requirements provide little insurance against poor working conditions according to this report which exposes poor working conditions at nine government contractor factories including poverty level wages, pressure on the job, poor benefits, health and safety problems, and discrimination. (December 10, 2009)

Spiewak Factory Labor Report
China Labor Watch's research on working conditions at a Spiewak clothing factory located in China. (June 4, 2009)

Subsidizing Sweatshops II: How our tax dollars can foster worker rights and economic recovery rather than fuel the race to the bottom
This report documents severe violations of labor law and human rights in nearly all factories investigated, including child labor, poverty wages, excessive production quotas, mandatory pregnancy tests, unhealthy work environment, and severe repression of union supporters. (April 15, 2009)

Sweatshop Solutions? Economic ground zero in Bangladesh and Wal-Mart's responsibility
This is an account of a particularly abusive factory in Bangladesh which produces children’s wear, primarily for Wal-Mart. It reveals how one of the world’s most powerful companies is influencing lives and working conditions in one of the poorest countries in the world. (October 10, 2008)

Subsidizing Sweatshops: How our tax dollars fund the race to the bottom, and what cities and states can do
By revealing severe human rights violations in factories that make public employee uniforms for the federal government, states, and local governments, the report shows how governments inadvertently use tax dollars to increase the downward pressure on labor rights, wages, and working conditions. (July 1, 2008)