End Human Trafficking

2010 Sweatshop Hall of Shame

by Amanda Kloer

categories: Child Trafficking, Sweatshops

Published November 18, 2009 @ 01:00PM PT

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Yesterday, the International Labor Rights Forum (ILRF) released their 2010 Sweatshop Hall of Shame list of Inductees, companies selected for some of the most abhorrent and exploitative labor practices in the world. From forced child labor to ignoring the preventable deaths of workers, these brands deserve a great big "shame on you" for their refusal to address labor exploitation in their supply chains.

The 2010 Sweatshop Hall of Shame Inductees are (drum-roll please):

• Abercrombie and Fitch
• Gymboree
• Hanes
• Ikea
• Kohl’s
• LL Bean
• Pier 1 Imports
• Propper International
• Walmart

ILRF offers detailed explanation of each of these companies' particular sins on their website, but I want to draw attention to Gymboree, Hanes, and LL Bean. All three companies use cotton from Uzbekistan, which is not only the world's second largest producer of cotton, but also one of the biggest exploiters of children in the industry. Children as young as seven are prevented from going to school and forced to work long hours in the cotton fields harvesting the crops, often in miserable conditions.

The Uzbek government has ignored these widespread abuses of children, so a number of companies have agreed to boycott Uzbek cotton until measures are taken to prevent children in Uzbekistan from exploitation and slavery. However, Gymboree, Hanes, and LL Bean have all stubbornly refused to stop using this tainted cotton in their products.

It's important to note that the Hall of Shame list is far from complete. In fact, so many brands use products made by exploited labor, it would be nearly impossible to compile a complete list of companies to avoid. A good alternative, therefore, is to make a point of buying from companies who sport a sweat-free guarantee. For a great list of places to buy sweat-shop free items, check out this guide from Sweat Free Communities.

Stay tuned for more resources to help you make ethical purchases of products not tainted by slavery or labor exploitation. By shopping at companies who value their workers and avoiding those who abuse workers in the name of low prices, you're making the powerful statement that human rights trump bottom line prices.