Senators seek ban on "sweatshop" imports

[Joanne98]

By Doug Palmer

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - Six U.S. senators introduced a bill on Tuesday to stop imports of clothing and other goods made under "sweatshop" conditions, as part of a bigger effort to refashion trade policy to boost workers' rights.

"This ... is legislation we will push very hard this year," said Sen. Byron Dorgan, a North Dakota Democrat and leading critic of President George W. Bush's handling of trade.

Dorgan identified China as the primary target of the bill, but said it was aimed at barring imports from any foreign company where workers are mistreated.

"In this bill, a sweatshop factory is one where workers are abused in violation of that country's labor laws," Dorgan said.

The bill empowers the U.S. Federal Trade Commission to blocks imports from a foreign factory if it determines they are being made under sweatshop conditions.

Importers who violate the ban would face a $10,000 fine for each separate offense and could also be sued by their competitors for damages, Dorgan said.

http://today.reuters.com/news/articlenews.aspx?type=politicsNews&storyID=2007-01-23T215311Z_01_N23300408_RTRUKOC_0_US-USA-CONGRESS-SWEATSHOPS.xml&WTmodLoc=PolNewsHome_C2_politicsNews-1

[jsamuel]

1. woot!!!

[LiberalEsto]

2. Great news nt

[denverbill]

3. I sure hope they can get this passed.

It's a small step in the right direction for US trade policy.

I'd love to see Republicans debate this on the House/Senate floor.

[OnceUponTimeOnTheNet]

4. K&R

Excellent news.

[Critters2]

5. In violation of THAT country's labor laws?!

Does China have labor laws?

[Joanne98]

11. It's a big loophole if you ask me.

I hope the Senate Dems understand that we can read the fine print. NO LOOPHOLES!

[sandnsea]

13. Many countries actually do

They pass them for trade and WTO purposes, then don't enforce them. This could be a step in the right direction, but as with everything, has to be closely watched by those evil 'interest groups'.

[derby378]

6. "Kathie Lee, pay my sa-la-ry..."

[TexasLawyer]

7. Northern Mariana Islands

I hope they also address sweatshops in "America's own" Northern Mariana Islands. Those would not technically be considered "foreign" sweatshops.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Northern_Mariana_Islands

The Northern Mariana Islands have also come into the news recently due to their connection to the scandals involving Jack Abramoff and allegedly former House Majority Leader Tom DeLay <5>. As a direct result of lobbying by Abramoff and associates, the Northern Mariana Islands received special federal subsidies. <6> As well, Congressman Bob Ney allegedly received free trips to the Northern Mariana Islands from Abramoff, in violation of federal law. <7>

The Northern Marianas Islands are also the site of another controversy involving Rep. John Doolittle (R-CA), Jack Abramoff, and Rep. Richard Pombo (R-CA) and the alleged links to the Saipan Garment Manufacturers Association and the Northern Mariana Islands, role in stopping legislation aimed at cracking down on sweatshops and sex shops” on the islands in 2001.

The Northern Marianas Islands allegedly harbor the most abusive labor practices of anywhere in the United States. According to the progressive think tank American Progress Action Fund, "Human 'brokers' bring thousands there to work as sex slaves and in cramped sweatshop garment factories where clothes (complete with 'Made in U.S.A.' tag) have been produced for all the major brands."

[Name removed]

8. Deleted message

Message removed by moderator. Click here to review the message board rules.

[Commie Pinko Dirtbag]

14. "Lax labor standards?"

Truly spoken like someone who sees things from the other side.

I call them STRICT labor standards.

[Seldona]

9. And people say there is no difference in Reps or Dems?

It is refreshing to have politicians talking like they want to raise people's standard of living instead of bringing the third world standard here. I STILL meet right wingers that fail to understand just what their lives would be like if Reps got their way.

[2Design]

10. so Wal Mart will go out of business - bring unions back n/t

[dipsydoodle]

12. for each separate offense ..............

and hopefully that two for a pair of sneakers from Indonesia.

[Joanne98]

15. Competitors being able to sue for damages is a good idea.

Give the employers who want to be HUMAN BEINGS a way to protect themselves from the unfair advantage that SLAVERY gives the "cruel and unusual" employers.