IOC on thin ice over workers' rights

The Play Fair Alliance, which brings together trade unions and labour rights groups worldwide launched a campaign at the 2004 Athens Olympics to urge the IOC and sportswear brands to take action to weed out the exploitation endemic to the industry.
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At the occurrence of the Turin Olympics, the Clean Clothes Campaign published an update on the steps being taken by the brands, the World Federation of Sporting Goods Industries and the Olympic family since the Athens Olympics.
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Jacques Rogge

During this Olympics we especially express our dismay at the IOC's lack of commitment to ensuring that the Olympic ideals of respect, dignity and fair play are respected by the global sportswear industry.

You can send an e-mail to Mr. Rogge at the IOC, to ask him to take responsibility for how all merchandise bearing the Olympic emblem is made. In the Olympics charter and in practice, the IOC needs to make sure, in consultation with relevant stakeholders, that workers' rights are respected in all Olympics-related contracts.

In Brussels
In terms of winter sports, Belgium is not a big country. Only 4 Belgians are participating in the Turin Winter Games. In terms of campaigning, Belgium is much larger. At the occasion of Athens 2004, a lot of activities took place and about 100 000 signatures were gathered and handed over to the Belgian National Olympic Committee and Fila. To keep the fire burning, a small action was organised on the occasion of the Turin Olympics in a busy shopping street in Brussels, with the participation of different organisations and a member of the city council. The action drew a lot of attention from the public and the press. The main message was that the IOC should take on labour rights in their charter and contracts.

Clean Clothes Campaign Ski instructor in Brussels' shopping street drew attention from the public and the press. The main message was that the IOC should take on labour rights in their charter and contracts.

In the Netherlands
The Dutch Prince of the Netherlands, Willem-Alexander, is a member of the IOC. Activists of the Dutch CCC went to his castle to hand over the 'programme of work for the sportswear industry' (POW) to ask him to commit himself to improve labour rights in factories producing products bearing the Olympic logo. The Dutch activists were representing the so called Orange legioen (Dutch supporters wearing the royal colour orange). As the guards refused the colorful supporters entry, the POW was left at the gate.

Dutch CCC-Activists in front of a royal palace in The Hague

TELEPHONE (41.21) 621 61 11
FAX (41.21) 621 62 16

Dear Mr. Rogge,

When I buy products with the Olympic emblem I want to know that no one has suffered whilst making them. I have been surprised to learn that the widespread abuse of workers in the sportswear and other industries persists. The Olympic charter states that the Olympics "strives for respect for universal fundamental ethical principles" and yet the IOC is not taking responsibility for the workers who make the products bearing the Olympic emblem.

I am disturbed to learn that although the IOC has been alerted and has been asked to take action to prevent labour abuses, there has been no concrete action from your side so far. The Play Fair at the Olympics Campaign, launched in March 2004, has moved several sports brands to work on improving the conditions in their supply chain. In Athens the IOC would not accept the more than half a million signatures that clearly showed the broad base of support for improvements. Now at the time of the Turin Olympic Games two years later, we still see no positive movement from the IOC.

The IOC must take responsibility for how all merchandise bearing the Olympic emblem is made. In the Olympics charter and in practice, the IOC needs to make sure, in consultation with relevant stakeholders, that workers' rights are respected in all Olympics-related contracts. To do any less would be at odds with the Olympics spirit. Please let me know how you plan to do this.

Yours sincerely