Stop Sweatshops Campaign

This is your campaign. It is led by consumers, like you, who believe products must be made under decent conditions.

The Stop Sweatshops Campaign is about consumers holding U.S. retailers and brand name manufacturers responsible for their behavior both at home and overseas. People like you are saying "no" to sweatshops -- whether the goods come from China or Honduras, Los Angeles or New York City.

What is a Sweatshop?

A sweatshop violates any one or more fundamental workers' rights that have been codified in international and U.S. laws. A sweatshop exists if there is:

child labor;

forced or compulsory labor;

exposure to dangerous and life-threatening working conditions;

illegal hours and wages; and/or

physical punishment and humiliation for mistakes and firings for trying to organize and bargain collectively.

Workers in sweatshops face low pay for long hours, no overtime compensation, locked doors, harassment and fear, as well as deadly exposures and workplaces.

About the Campaign:

More than 50 organizations have joined the campaign since it began in January 1996. You will recognize many of the Stop Sweatshop partners, such as:

The United Methodist Church, Board of Church and Society

Maryknoll Fathers Justice and Peace Office

American Veterans Committee

American Federation of Teachers

National Association for the Advancement of Colored People

National Council of La Raza

AFL-CIO

Friends of the Earth

National Organization for Women

General Federation of Women's Clubs

These members and the rest represent more than 50 million consumers. The organizations commit their resources because they recognize that consumers can end sweatshops if they insist on decent conditions for workers who make what we buy.

If you want to do more to stop child labor, visit these sites:

Companies to write to stop child labor practices

What you can do sweatshops wise.

Consumer Campaigns

The National Consumers League, founded in 1899, is America's pioneer consumer organization. NCL's three-pronged approach of research, education and advocacy has made it an effective representative and source of information for consumers and workers. NCL is a private, nonprofit membership organization dedicated to representing consumers on issues of concern.

Child Labor Coalition, c/o National Consumers League, 1701 K Street, NW, Suite 1200, Washington, D.C. 20006; Telephone: (202) 835-3323; Fax: (202) 835-0747.