New report: sweatshop factories produce US military uniforms

From Behind the Label (US)

Department of Defense is the world's largest purchaser of U.S.- made apparel. Approximately 20,000 men and women manufacture uniforms for the armed forces and unfortunately, many of these workers labor in sweatshops - in the United States. "Conduct Unbecoming: Sweatshops and the U.S. Military Uniform Industry", a new report documenting sweatshop conditions prevalent at many factories with government uniform contracts, is the result of extensive research and interviews with 88 workers at eight contractors throughout the southern United States over the last several years.
The report uncovers a host of abuses at eight contractors. Workers are paid poverty wages to sew military uniforms. The average pay at these contractors was $6.55 an hour - only 85% of the U.S. poverty threshold for a family of three. Few workers surveyed were able to afford their employers' healthcare benefits, if offered. One company, Columbia Sewing, does not even offer its employees healthcare coverage. At another, 86% of workers interviewed have no healthcare coverage.
As a result of the poverty wages, workers in this industry are forced to rely on state and federally-subsidized programs, such as food stamps or Medicaid, to feed their children, make ends meet, and provide healthcare for their families. In effect, U.S. taxpayers shoulder the costs of low wages and poor conditions in this industry.
The report also reveals that many factories are unsafe. Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) citations indicate that workers face hazardous conditions and avoidable occupational injuries at work. One group of military apparel contractors have been cited for over 120 health and safety violations over the past decade.
In addition to health and safety violations, certain contractors have engaged in unethical or illegal behavior. At several companies, workers report cuts to earnings that may amount to wage and hour violations. There are documented violations of labor law at others. Furthermore, workers report a climate of intimidation and harassment on the job, favoritism toward select workers, and racial discrimination.
The report argues that low-bid contract awards by the Department of Defense contribute to poor conditions in the industry. This practice encourages companies to cut corners at the expense of workers. Reputable contractors who provide benefits, safe working conditions, and better wages are routinely underbid by this competition.
The report suggests that with better oversight and accountability of contractors, sweatshops can be eliminated from the military uniform supply chain. If the Pentagon assumes greater responsibility for evaluating and monitoring conditions in its supplier network, it can help raise standards in this industry, guarantee that uniforms are made under safe working conditions, and make the highest quality uniforms for our armed forces.
For such an effort to be successful, the report makes several recommendations to the Department of Defense:

· Contracting officers should more carefully evaluate a contractor's labor practices and working conditions, including wages and benefits, in order to ensure that contractors provide quality jobs, maintain the highest workplace standards and demonstrate adherence to integrity and ethics. In the course of this evaluation, procurement officers should consult with the Department of Labor and OSHA, among other government agencies.

· The Defense Department should carry out inspections of contractor facilities and more closely assess contractor compliance, including confidential worker interviews as part of this process.

· Contractors with poor working conditions and labor violations should be referred to the appropriate suspension and debarment officials within the Pentagon.
In addition, the report proposes a code of conduct for uniform contractors to ensure that they are held to high labor standards and provide quality jobs:

· Companies should be required to follow a sweatshop-free code of conduct that outlines their responsibilities as military contractors to provide jobs with decent wages, benefits and working conditions.

· Companies should also be required to disclose in their contract bids the wages and health and pension benefits offered to their workers, other relevant working conditions, and any OSHA, NLRB or other violations that reflect on their status as a responsible contractor.

To read the report, click here:
http://www.behindthelabel.org/pdf/ConductUnbecoming.pdf