October 13, 1998

Press release:

BENETTON USING CHILD LABOUR

Benetton is using child labour in Turkey for the production of its garments,
reveals a report published today in the Italian newspaper Corriere della
Sera. The two-page article was written by the Italian journalist Riccardo
Orizio who personally conducted research on working conditions in Turkey for
his article.

The Clean Clothes Campaign strongly condemns the use of child labour and
other forms of exploitation in the garment industry. Clean Clothes
researchers noted violations of workers' rights in plants that produce
for Benetton in different countries (Romania, Madagascar). The main
problems mentioned by workers there were: long working hours, forced and
unpaid overtime, low salaries, target systems, lack of medical assistance,
dirty working environment, and sexual harrassment.

Despite a social image built up through well-planned publicity
campaigns, Benetton is one of the companies that is marked by a lack of
transparancy. Through the fragmentation of the production process
Benetton maintains direct control of the activities at the beginning and
the end of the production chain. This way Benetton is profiting from
inequalities on a
global scale. Given this deliberately chosen structure of subcontracting
the responsability lies clearly with Benetton.

In the case of the child workers in Turkey, the Clean Clothes Campaign is
concerned about their future. It would be absolutely unacceptable if
Benetton chooses to cancel its contracts with Bermuda or if they simply
sacked the children. We want Benetton to take measures that will
improve working conditions and for the gradual rehabilitation of the children.

The Clean Clothes Campaign urges Benetton to sign a code of conduct that
contains the internationally-recognized labour standards of the
International Labour Organisation (no child labour, no forced labour, no
discrimination, freedom of association and collective bargaining, health
and safety, 48 working hours per week, living wages) and to accept
independent monitoring of the entire production process.

All over Europe the Clean Clothes Campaign will call for media attention
in order to raise public awareness about the hypocritical attitude of
Benetton.

For more information contact the Clean Clothes Campaign
Tel: 020-412-2785
Fax: 020-412-2786
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Press conference: Tuesday October 13, 12:00
International Press Centre
Karel de Grootlaan 1
Brussels

with: Riccardo Orizio, Corriere della Sera; a researcher from the
Netherlands Clean Clothes Campaign (to discuss production for Benetton in
Romania and Madagascar) and representatives from the Belgian Clean Clothes
Campaign.