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  Labour issues: General - Oct. 2001  

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Oct. 2001:

ICFTU calls for leading role for the ILO in globalisation and at the WTO: Bill Jordan, General Secretary of the ICFTU, will outline how the ILO has a central role to play in establishing “new global rules that will permit and encourage sustainable development, decent employment and respect for workers’ rights in all part of the world”, at the ILO’s Global Employment Forum opening in Geneva tomorrow. (International Confederation of Free Trade Unions, 31 Oct. 2001)

ICFTU reports to ILO on failure to respect basic labour rights: In a report submitted today to the ILO within the framework of the follow-up to the ILO Declaration on Fundamental Principles and Rights at Work, the International Confederation of Free Trade Unions (ICFTU) examines the situation in 45 countries. Although not exhaustive, the report clearly illustrates a failure to respect basic labour standards. (International Confederation of Free Trade Unions, 31 Oct. 2001) 

NLRB [U.S. National Labor Relations Board] Cites More Wal-Mart Law-Breaking: Says Company Only Fixed Safety Hazards After Workers Began Union Campaign, Tried to "Stack" Eligible Voters - Retailer Facing Seven Additional Trials For Dozens of Unfair Labor Practices -...a National Labor Relations Board investigation into charges filed by UFCW Local 880 found evidence that the company's motivation was to illegally discourage the workers' support for the Union. The Labor Board issued a formal complaint last Friday and ordered a hearing before an administrative law judge to begin on January 15, 2002. (United Food and Commercial Workers Union, 30 Oct. 2001) 

CSR Investment Is Not A Choice: Was Milton Friedman right in his assertion that the business of business is simply to keep within the law and to maximise profits? Or, does the power of corporations bring with it social responsibilities; what many argue are the trappings of power? Toby Kent draws upon a specific case of Del Monte in Kenya [DMKL]...animosity between DMKL’s management, staff and neighbouring communities grew to such an extent that by 2000 the unions, local NGOs and representatives of the Catholic church combined to organise a boycott of Del Monte’s products in Italy, one of the company’s key export markets. (Toby Kent, independent consultant, in Ethical Corporation Magazine, 30 Oct. 2001)

Responsible Care: Unions' New Offer To Chemical Employers - The world's chemical industry unions have launched a new drive for a global agreement with employers on the industry's Responsible Care programme. ICEM and the companies' International Council of Chemical Associations (ICCA)...were close to signing a global agreement on Responsible Care. But the deal was scuppered this April by the ICCA's US member, the American Chemistry Council (ACC). This was, apparently, at the behest of two anti-union American companies, Exxon and Dupont. (ICEM - International Federation of Chemical, Energy, Mine and General Workers' Unions, 29 Oct. 2001)

Federal Court Judge Rejects Motion to Dismiss Landmark Sweatshop Class Action Against Saipan Garment Factories, The Gap, Target and Other Retailers [Saipan, Northern Mariana Islands, USA] - First Case to Hold Retailers Accountable for Factory Sweatshop Abuses Will Proceed to Trial: In a closely-watched human rights case, a U.S. District Judge in the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands today upheld the complaint in a class action lawsuit alleging sweatshop conditions on the Western Pacific Island of Saipan. This ruling allows the case to proceed to trial. (Sweatshop Watch, 29 Oct. 2001)

WTO and social responsibilities:...The sanctimonious advocacy of the social clause by the protagonists of WTO is a case in point. According to this, no product that involves child labour or forced labour can be sold in world markets. On the face of it, this lacks a moral stance and in point of fact this is a patent piece of protectionism meant to favour the MNCs. (Swami Agnivesh, The Hindu [India], 29 Oct. 2001)

Elusive Mexican reform:...The corrupt PRI labor machine still wields near-total control over millions of workers. In situations such as the Duro Bag factory in Tamaulipas state, which produces gift bags for Neiman Marcus and Hallmark, the machine has illegally crushed an independent union. Fox must ensure that labor rights are respected. (editorial, San Francisco Chronicle, 29 Oct. 2001)

Supreme Court rejects test case of workplace religious harassment [USA]: An employee fired after giving Bibles to co-workers and praying with them lost his religious harassment case before the Supreme Court, but justices refused Monday to block a trial on the termination. (Gina Holland, Associated Press, in San Francisco Chronicle, 29 Oct. 2001)

It's enough to make you sick -...So, are the chocolatiers, by agreeing to the Protocol, finally accepting responsibility for slave labour used on cocoa farms - and effectively admitting that they had previously turned a blind eye? [refers to Mars, Nestlé, Cadbury, BCCCA (Biscuit, Cake, Chocolate and Confectionery Alliance), Day Chocolate Company, Green & Black's] (Charlotte Williamson, Evening Standard [London], 26 Oct. 2001)

Nobody's laughing now: We spoke to Richard Aylard and Jordana Friedman, Directors at Burson Marstellar’s Corporate Responsibility unit, who have a large number of corporate clients concerned about ethical business issues. We asked them about the thinking on both sides of the Atlantic on CSR and corporate advantage..."The first issues of a CSR nature that, to my mind, really captured and galvanized the public in the US were environmental issues in the early 90s and also, perhaps even more so, issues around human rights and labor rights that were affecting textile and shoe manufacturing firms and the retailers of those products in the US." (Ethical Corporation Magazine, 25 Oct. 2001)

International Labour Organization formally joins UNAIDS: The Joint United Nations Programme on HIV/AIDS (UNAIDS) today announced that the International Labour Organization (ILO) has formalized its commitment to fighting the global HIV/AIDS epidemic by becoming a Cosponsor of UNAIDS..."The ILO brings to UNAIDS its understanding and expertise in the world of work. We know the workplace is a key location for HIV/AIDS prevention and care programmes," said Dr Peter Piot, Executive Director of UNAIDS...ILO Director-General Juan Somavia said, "HIV/AIDS affects everyone today but has an especially profound impact on workers and their families, enterprises and employers, and national economies. With the accession of the ILO to UNAIDS, we now add the historic force of tripartism - governments, workers and employers - to the international efforts being undertaken to meet the challenge of HIV/AIDS and its impact on the world of work." (UN Wire, 25 Oct. 2001)

China awards lung disease compensation: A court in eastern China has awarded compensation to nearly 200 farmers who developed lung disease while digging a tunnel...The farmers in the eastern province of Zhejiang claimed that engineering companies who hired them took no steps to protect against high levels of silicon dust in the tunnel...Ten of the farmers have already died of silicosis...The ruling comes as Chinese legislators are expected to approve a new law aimed at reducing the number of industrial accidents and diseases. (BBC News, 25 Oct. 2001)

Big investors press for social responsibility [UK]: Britain's biggest investors are to put greater pressure on companies to sign up to the principles of corporate social responsibility, under tough new guidelines published yesterday by the Association of British Insurers. The move by the ABI, whose members control one quarter of the UK stock market, represents a significant shift by investors, who have traditionally seen social responsibility as a "distraction". Douglas Alexander, minister for corporate social responsibility, who addressed yesterday's ABI conference, signalled that the government might make a new operating and financial review - giving details on a company's approach to social and environmental issues - mandatory for the "most economically significant" companies...New research published by the ABI, shows that there are risks to shareholder value from human rights abuses, poor treatment of workers, suppliers and customers. (Simon Targett, Financial Times, 24 Oct. 2001)

Let the huddled masses go free: The best way to show globalisation works is to allow unrestricted migration of labour -...The trouble is that there is too little globalisation rather than too much. There was far more economic free movement a century ago than there is today. The big difference is, of course, in migration policies. (Samuel Brittan, Financial Times, 24 Oct. 2001)

Resolution on Korean Companies Operating Overseas:...DEPLORING the exploitation of workers employed in Korean-owned textile, garment and footwear companies, who are often forced to work long hours in appalling conditions, and who when they attempt to organise to improve their working conditions face violence from security guards, death threats, plant closures, and the prospect of being blacklisted and denied future employment;...RESOLVES to establish a register of “Dirty Companies” the world should shun, to which would be added the names of all enterprises repeatedly abusing workers´rights, and to campaign to drive all such listed companies from the textile, clothing and leather industries. (Executive Committee of the International Textile, Garment and Leather Workers’ Federation [ITGLWF], 23 Oct. 2001)

Resolution on Burma:...CALLS ON the ITGLWF and its affiliates to initiate discussions with multinationals known to be sourcing their production in Burma, urging them to cut their ties with the country until the rule of law is restored, and in the event companies should refuse, to expose them publically and promote other action, including consumer pressure and boycotts as appropriate. (Executive Committee of the International Textile, Garment and Leather Workers’ Federation [ITGLWF], 23 Oct. 2001)

Resolution on Decent Work and Globalisation: FURTHER CALLS ON the ITGLWF and all affiliates to promote a common set of demands, ie to insist on a globalisation that advances worker´s rights and job security; supports quality universal education and health care; helps the poor, not just the rich; is open and democratic; benefits all people everywhere, and delivers true global justice and equality. (Executive Committee of the International Textile, Garment and Leather Workers’ Federation [ITGLWF], 23 Oct. 2001)

As Unions Grow, an Industry Booms [Cambodia]: Under the Bilateral Textile Agreement signed in December, 1998, Cambodia can get as much as a 14% increase in its U.S. import quota if it demonstrates "substantial compliance" with international labor standards. The provisions aren't spelled out, but the idea is that overtime must be paid, child labor banned, and sufficient work breaks offered. (Susan Postlewaite, Business Week, 22 Oct. 2001)

Czech Republic: Still room for improvement on basic labour rights - Restrictions on the right to strike and collective bargaining in the public sector and blatant discrimination based on gender and ethnic origin, especially against the Roma population. (International Confederation of Free Trade Unions, 22 Oct. 2001)

Beyond Burma: Following the decision by the University's [University of Virginia's] investment manager to sell off University stock in Unocal, the fight for divestment from Burma has come to a conclusion. But the work does not end here. The Board of Visitors should continue to welcome students' input and investigate ways for the University to make ethical investments in the future...The fact that the University's money managers could acquire and hold onto stock with ties to Burma indicates that human rights and ethical concerns don't have enough of an impact on investment decisions. The Board should commit to finding a feasible way for University investments to be overseen and evaluated on an ethical basis. Until this occurs, there is nothing to prevent a similar situation from arising with other stock in the future. (editorial, Cavalier Daily [University of Virginia], 19 Oct. 2001) [note: scroll down to the second editorial on the page]

University [University of Virginia] sells stock in Unocal company: The nine-month student campaign for divestment from Unocal, a stock previously held by the University, is over. The University's investment manager, Richard Mayo, sold Unocal stock last week...Mayo told The Daily Progress Tuesday that he was influenced by the student campaigns and controversy on Grounds. "You've got to respect what your client's pressures are," Mayo said. "If I have something just as good [as Unocal] that I could own, why leave [the issue] out there festering."..."We plan to use the case of Unocal in Burma as a case study to further the dialogue we've been having about a standard of ethical investments," Fifer [Student Council President Abby Fifer] said. The Free Burma Coalition will continue pressing for a creation of a committee on ethical business practices, a code of conduct for outside money managers and "ways to harness stockholder resolutions," Freedman-Schnapp [Free Burma Coalition Campaign Manager Michael Freedman-Schnapp] said (Deirdre Erin Murphy, Cavalier Daily [University of Virginia], 18 Oct. 2001)

Manufacturing Growth With Social Deficits: Environmental and Labor Issues in the High Tech Sector of Penang, Malaysia (California Global Corporate Accountability Project, 18 Oct. 2001)

US chocolate industry agrees to end forced labour on cocoa farms: Free the Slaves, Anti-Slavery International's associate in the United States, has successfully won a commitment from the Chocolate Manufacturers Association to end 'slavery, serfdom, and debt bondage in the growing and processing of West African cocoa beans and their derivative products'. This follows the 1 October Protocol in which the US cocoa and chocolate industry agrees to eliminate child slavery from the chocolate industry. (Anti-Slavery International, 16 Oct. 2001)

NURSING: WHO Conference To Address Efforts To Stem Global Shortage - In an attempt to address the global shortage of nurses and midwives, the World Health Organization is hosting the first international conference to deal with the problem this week in Atlanta. The conference, which opened yesterday and will run until Friday, will look at issues such as pay, hazardous working conditions, lack of career development, professional status and autonomy, cited as reasons for the deficit in nurses. (UN Wire, 16 Oct. 2001)

Never let them see you sweat: UNITE takes on the Wal-Marts of the world - In an unprecedented international campaign to organize garment workers, unions in the United States, Asia and Central America are joining with student and religious groups to target the real powers in the global apparel business: big brand-name merchandisers like Eddie Bauer, Ann Taylor, Gap, J. Crew, Abercrombie & Fitch and the major retail chains...UNITE estimates that 80 percent of the workers producing clothing for U.S. retailers "are working under conditions that systematically violate local and international law." "Retailers know if a seam is one-eighth inch off, but they say they don't know it's made with child labor," Raynor says. "Bullshit. They know exactly what's going on, and we'll hold them accountable." (David Moberg, In These Times, 15 Oct. 2001)

Sweatshop Case May Grow - Courts: Companies in Saipan [Northern Mariana Islands - U.S. territory] are ordered to identify workers for a class-action suit. - The U.S. District Court in Saipan signed an order this week opening the door to more potential plaintiffs in a lawsuit alleging widespread sweatshop abuses in the island's garment trade. (Mark Magnier, Los Angeles Times, 13 Oct. 2001)

British oil firms accused of Burma abuses: Burmese soldiers retained by the British companies Premier Oil and TotalFinaElf are guilty of multiple human rights abuses and subject local peasants to forced labour, extortion and beatings, the European parliament was told yesterday [testimony by Earth Rights International; article includes responses by Premier Oil and TotalFinaElf] (Andrew Osborn, Guardian [UK], 12 Oct. 2001)

Union takes Anglo to task [South Africa]: The National Union of Mineworkers (NUM) this week threatened strike action if the Anglo American corporation does not reverse its policy against providing anti-retroviral drugs to its workers. The multinational corporation earlier this year made headline-grabbing news when it announced that it would provide anti-retroviral treatment for its HIV-positive workers. Now the union says Anglo American is reneging on its promise. The corporation is denying that it made any promise either unconditionally or by implication. (Glenda Daniels, Weekly Mail & Guardian [South Africa], 12 Oct. 2001) 

Another Colombian Union Leader Murdered - Death of Gustavo Soler adds to long list of unpunished crimes: Gustavo Soler, President of the El Paso section of the energy workers' union Sintramienergética, has been murdered in Colombia. His death adds one more name to the long list of Colombians slain for defending workers' rights. Labour activists are among the most frequent targets for assassination in Colombia - mainly by right-wing death squads, and sometimes also by guerrilla movements. (ICEM [International Federation of Chemical, Energy, Mine and General Workers' Unions], 12 Oct. 2001)

Anglo American Called Racist After AIDS Drug "Betrayal": Mining giant could face South African strike over anti-retrovirals - Mining giant Anglo American stands accused of reneging on a commitment to make anti-retroviral drugs available to all its South African workers. Instead, the National Union of Mineworkers (NUM) says, Anglo now plans to give preferential treatment to "senior employees" - apparently because the company thinks that providing anti-retrovirals throughout its workforce would be too expensive. The NUM finds this policy "inherently racist and discriminatory, with beneficiaries of the scheme being, in the main, white workers and the black elite. The foot soldiers who generate wealth in the bowels of the earth are excluded." (ICEM [International Federation of Chemical, Energy, Mine and General Workers' Unions], 11 Oct. 2001)

Li Wangyang Gets More of the Same: Veteran Trade Unionist Sentenced to Ten Years [China] - Despite imminent improvements to China's Trade Union Law, rumours of the right to strike being given legal status, China's ratification of the International Convenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights, and the All China Federation of Trade Union's extensive contacts with foreign trade union delegations, the reality of labour organising in China remains oppressive. In September 2001, labour organiser Li Wangyang was sentenced to 10 years in prison following a courageous and public campaign to pressure the government into paying compensation for injuries received during beatings while serving a previous prison sentence. (China Labour Bulletin, 11 Oct. 2001)

Nike releases first corporate responsibility report: Key Issues Identified in Report: Working Toward Sustainability Goals, Reducing Climate Impact, Improving Factory Compliance (Nike, 9 Oct. 2001)

Survey 2001 [ICFTU Annual Survey of Violations of Trade Union Rights covering the year 2000] (International Confederation of Free Trade Unions, 9 Oct. 2001)  {···español: Informe 2001}  {···français: Rapport 2001}

Forest industry takes lead in sustainable development practices: Failure to address the challenges of globalization and sustain the forestry and wood industry sectors could lead to elimination of more than 5 percent of the global workforce in this area, estimated at some 47 million, says a new report by the ILO. (Human.Rights@Work: A monthly newsletter produced by the ILO Bureau for Workers' Activities, International Labour Organization, 9 Oct. 2001)

Implementing the ILO Declaration in Africa: More than seventy participants from all over Africa, drawn from trade unions, and employers’ organisations, government, International Trade Secretariats, friendly organisations from Europe and representatives of intergovernmental organisations including the ILO took part in a three day conference on the implementation of the ILO Declaration on Fundamental Principles and Rights at Work..."The ICFTU-AFRO takes the view that workers rights be linked to trade agreements and the process should be open, fair, multilateral and give time for problems to be resolved amicably by discussions and negotiations. The WTO and ILO should cooperate closely in the implementation of international workers’ rights", ICFTU-AFRO General Secretary Andrew Kailembo told the conference. (Human.Rights@Work: A monthly newsletter produced by the ILO Bureau for Workers' Activities, International Labour Organization, 9 Oct. 2001)

Promoting sustainable tourism in the Caribbean: The participation of social partners in all regional and national bodies involved in sustainable tourism, the strengthening of Labour ministries to implement and enforce health and safety regulations relating to tourism and the promotion of key ILO standards and the concept of Decent Work in that industry, were among the key recommendations made last month (September 2001) at an ILO-sub regional seminar on the promotion of sustainable tourism in the Caribbean...Increased pollution, coastal zone degradation, freshwater shortages and loss of bio-diversity were all threatening the nature of the industry as a result of mass tourism and an unsustainable approach. (Human.Rights@Work: A monthly newsletter produced by the ILO Bureau for Workers' Activities, International Labour Organization, 9 Oct. 2001)

Protecting workers in the non-ferrous metal industries: Protecting workers from occupational safety and health hazards, preventing or reducing the incidence and severity of illnesses and injury and promoting consultations and cooperation between governments, and employers and workers’ organizations are the key objectives of a new Code of practice on safety and health in the production of non-ferrous metals. (Human.Rights@Work: A monthly newsletter produced by the ILO Bureau for Workers' Activities, International Labour Organization, 9 Oct. 2001)

ACTRAV Symposium shows union convergence on globalization issues...The Symposium gave a unique opportunity for dialogue between the world of labour and representatives of the International Financial Institutions and the World Trade Organization (WTO). (Human.Rights@Work: A monthly newsletter produced by the ILO Bureau for Workers' Activities, International Labour Organization, 9 Oct. 2001)

RATIFICATION WATCH: Ratification of the eight fundamental conventions of the ILO [International Labour Organization] (International Confederation of Free Trade Unions, 9 Oct. 2001)

Mexican Labor Protest Gets Results: ...Mexmode — an assembly factory, or maquiladora — is a principal supplier of college sweatshirts to Nike and Reebok. Hearing that Mexmode workers were fired for their cafeteria boycott, leaders of an activist coalition supported by students and administrators from about 85 American colleges and universities rushed here to investigate...The group, the Workers Rights Consortium, heard complaints about low wages, verbal abuse and corruption among union officials, then began a high-profile campaign that threatened the image of the Nike swoosh. (Ginger Thompson, New York Times, 8 Oct. 2001)

Investigators silent after Burma visit: A high-level delegation from the International Labour Organisation has finished a three-week investigation of the use of forced labour in Burma...They continued to give no details of the visit, as they left the country. However western diplomats believe the investigation has been extremely rigorous. (Larry Jagan, BBC News, 6 Oct. 2001)

Wal-Martyrs rise up: Las Vegas [USA] outlet could be first Wal-Mart property to undergo storewide union election -...No Wal-Mart store has ever gone union. There has never even been a storewide election...Employees in Las Vegas contend they've been spied on, threatened, cajoled, interrogated, wrongly disciplined and in at least one case fired for union activity. (James Rutherford, Las Vegas Mercury, 5 Oct. 2001)

China - Labor law to be revised, allowing worker strikes China may be about to take a great leap forward in terms of workers rights. According to the Oct. 1 Hong Kong Ming Pao, the country is currently working on amending its Labor Union Law. Significant changes are reportedly in the works, including allowing workers to form their own labor unions. The new law would even allow employees to go on strike, the newspaper said. (ChinaOnline, 5 Oct. 2001)

US Protocol aims to end child slavery in cocoa fields: On 1 October, the international cocoa and chocolate industry signed a Protocol in the United States to eliminate child slavery in the chocolate industry...Anti-Slavery welcomes the introduction of the Protocol as a positive move by the chocolate industry to take responsibility for labour practices throughout its supply chain. However, we are concerned that it might fail to address the situation of young adults (18 years and older) who may find themselves working under conditions of forced labour. It is vital that any investigation and subsequent strategy tackle all forms of forced labour and also address the conditions that foster trafficking in the region, principally poverty and lack of alternatives. (Anti-Slavery International, 4 Oct. 2001)

CHILD SLAVERY: Chocolate Makers Announce Plan On Labor Practices - The international chocolate industry and members of the U.S. Congress have announced a four-year plan to eliminate child slave labor on cocoa farms in Africa and certify slavery-free cocoa (UN Wire, 3 Oct. 2001)

Nobel Laureates Declare Support for Divestment from Burma Move at University of Virginia: "Unprecedented" in History of Student Activism - Six Nobel Peace Prize Laureates have written an open letter to the University of Virginia Board of Visitors calling on the administration to divest its holding in Unocal, a California-based oil company. The letter supports a resolution passed by the UVA Student Council last March and a subsequent resolution on September 18th both of which called for the UVA Board of Visitors to divest the University’s 50,000 shares of stock in Unocal on account of the company’s complicity in human rights abuses in Burma. (Free Burma Coalition, 3 Oct. 2001)

Unocal denies misdeeds in Burma: Investors and human rights activists weigh in on controversial University and international issue (Justin Bernick and Ben Sellers, The Cavalier Daily [University of Virginia], 3 Oct. 2001)

Maquila workers in Guatemala face accusations of criminal activity: Continued impunity leads to renewal of request for GSP review - Workers fighting for an independent union at the Cimatextiles and Choishin factories in Guatemala are facing accusations of criminal charges as the latest tactic in an on-going anti-union campaign by local management. Both of these factories produce for, among others, Liz Claiborne...Despite the risk to its export license and the intervention by their main client, Liz Claiborne, Choi & Shin [Korean company that owns the factories] management immediately began violating the agreement, according to the union, threatening criminal charges against union leaders (on which they have now taken the next step with accusations), moving union supporters to new job assignments and continuing its threats to close the factories if the unions formed. (Campaign for Labor Rights, 2 Oct. 2001)

US-Jordan free trade deal ratified; includes labour and environment provisions...The Agreement makes Jordan the fourth country after Canada, Mexico and Israel to obtain free trade partner status with the US. Labour and environmental text in the treaty maintains that the two sides will not lower labour and environmental standards for the purpose of attracting foreign direct investment (FDI). The deal, if violated by one contractor, could trigger sanctions by the other. These provisions were strongly supported by Democrats who argued that without them, free trade would encourage companies to move operations to the lowest-wage and most environmentally lax nations. (BRIDGES Weekly Trade News Digest, International Centre for Trade and Sustainable Development, 2 Oct. 2001) 

US to act on cocoa slavery: Chocolate manufacturers and US members of Congress have agreed a programme aimed at stopping the use of coerced child labour to grow cocoa. (BBC News, 2 Oct. 2001)

MYANMAR [Burma]: U.N. Rapporteur Suggests Waiting On Further Sanctions - U.N. special rapporteur of the Commission on Human Rights Sergio Pinheiro says it would be "most beneficial" for Myanmar if the international community could temporarily stand back from any aggravation of economic sanctions and instead assess the effect of those sanctions on the most vulnerable sectors of the country...He also urged Myanmar to ratify or adhere to core human rights treaties, in particular those concerning recruitment of children soldiers and forced labor (UN Wire, 2 Oct. 2001)

ILO meeting on the management of disability at the workplace (International Labour Organization, 2 Oct. 2001)

Motiva executives to testify about July fire, acid spill [U.S.]: Motiva Enterprises LLC senior management will begin testifying this week as part of a federal investigation into the cause of a July 17 fire and explosion that collapsed an acid tank at the company's Delaware City refinery. The fire left one worker missing presumed dead, eight others seriously injured, and spilled a million gallons of sulfuric acid. Thousands of fish and crabs were killed when some of the acid sludge reached the Delaware River. (Rita Farrell, Reuters, 2 Oct. 2001)

A time to support each other [Namibia]: Within the EPZs [Export Processing Zones] working conditions are worse than in Namibia generally, pay is lower, hours are longer and health and safety conditions are worse. Yet unions are not allowed to organise there. (ACTSA [Action for Southern Africa], 1 Oct. 2001)

Azerbaijan: Annual Survey of Violations of Trade Union Rights (2001) (International Confederation of Free Trade Unions, 1 Oct. 2001)

Chocolate industry to target child slavery on cocoa farms: The chocolate industry will announce today that it has accepted responsibility for labor practices on cocoa farms and will work with child labor specialists, lawmakers, growers, and unions to eliminate child slavery and other forms of exploitation. (Sumana Chatterjee, Knight Ridder, in Boston Globe, 1 Oct. 2001)

CHILD SLAVERY: Chocolate Industry Aims To Target Labor Practices - ...Experts say that such an announcement would mark the first time an agricultural industry has taken responsibility for its product from the time it is picked to the time it goes to market. (UN Wire, 1 Oct. 2001)

Bangladesh...Ending the Race to the Bottom [report on sweatshop abuses in factories in Bangladesh producing for over 20 universities and Nike] (National Labor Committee, Oct. 2001)

Report on Dongguan Elegant Top Shoes Factory: Details of the conditions of one factory that produces Reebok shoes. This report shows how this factory does not even live up to the minimum requirements set under China's Labor Laws. (Li Qiang, China Labor Watch, Oct. 2001)

Nike's first Corporate Responsibility Report: This month Nike released a new Corporate Responsibility Report...The report includes some useful information, but its failure to respond to arguments made by the company's critics is deeply disappointing. Here are the positives and negatives. (NikeWatch (Oxfam - Community Aid Abroad), Oct. 2001)

Migrating from Exploitation to Dignity: Immigrant Women Workers and the Struggle for Justice - An Interview with Miriam Ching Yoon Louie - Miriam Ching Yoon Louie is the author of Sweatshop Warriors: Immigrant Women Workers Take on the Global Factory. (Multinational Monitor, Oct. 2001)