2- Other actions :
Ethical public procurements : we are working
with representatives of towns, on technical tools for
civil servants in charge with that issue.The city of Tours
(200 000 citizens) is one of the 220 french towns, regional
councils... promoting socially responsible public procurements.
Tours will ask his 30 toys supplyers to adopt a code of
conduct (the french CCC and representatives of public
authorities are working on a model code adapted to public
procurements). Other cities will probably take similar
initiatives with their toys, garments and shoes supplyers
(+ probably other products)
UK
Labour behind the label, activity report,
July to October 2002
For the campaign in the UK, two people are
employed three days a week in total. Therefore mostly
re-active work: presentations (including day-long seminar
in fashion college), requests for info, company follow
up, servicing support base.
AGM 2002: Turkish speaker was Asuman Erendil,
representing Turkey's Working Group on Women Home Workers
in Turkey, who spoke of developments in garment industry
in Turkey and growth in homeworking.
Shree Jee appeal: Investing more time than
usual in this appeal as several UK companies implicated
and strong union involvement in India. Focus on Barratts
(Stylo plc). Press release issued, urgent appeal sent
to e-list, enclosed with latest LBL bulletin and disseminated
at TUC conference (though courier company lost box of
materials for three days), letter written to companies.
We are asking LBL supporters to leaflet outside shops
selling Barratts shoes over the next two months. Actions
so far planned in London, Norwich, Glasgow and Manchester.
Next stage: carry on with the organising of actions, sending
urgent appeal to unions HQs, pursuing correspondence with
Barratts and other companies.
Question: How can we ensure as CCCs that
research work carried out by any of us benefits other
CCCs where appropriate? Should a list be established of
specific companies on which info is being sought?
Urgent Appeals: five urgent appeals were
sent to our e-mailing list (Shree Jee, PT Doson, demonstrators
shot in Indonesia, PPR and Sri Lanka government over the
right to organise).
Information: bulletin 17 produced and website
in process of being updated and redesigned.
Marathon proposal: next platform meeting
on 26 November.
SPAIN
Proposal on CSR: Several meetings have been
hold with members of the socialist party as they are drafting
a proposal on CSR. The Spanish CCC has joint an initiative
of three other NGOs working on this issue. We are trying
to arrange meetings with PP, the party in power, to follow
up the recommendation on CSR made during their six months
of EU Presidency.
Mango in Burma: CCC Spain has asked Mango
for an explanation for producing in Burma. In October
2002 CCC Spain got informed that Mango had produced in
Burma. When Mango was asked for an explanation, their
first reaction was incredulity. After an internal investigation
they found out that they had bought 80.000 jumpers in
Burma. Following, Mango announced not to produce any more
in Burma and to double check the channels of contracting
and subcontracting orders in Asia and to strengthen their
control, following recommendations of CCC Spain.
Adolfo Dominguez: After a year campaiging
on Adolfo Dominguez, which is producing in Indonesia,
including street actions at their shops and a postcard
campaign, the company has agreed to meet and disscuss
their policy on CSR, becaming a bit more transparent and
begining to share data on their manufacturers.
CCC Spain participates in the shareholders
meeting of Inditex (Zara): in order to request information
on their Social Corporate Responsability. Though the answers
were rather general the media coverage was huge and tortuose
relationship with Inditex were a bit more transparent.
Inditex has got a code of conduct but this is implemented
throught consultant. CCC wanted to make sure with its
presence that their policy on SCR is duly implemented
and that shareholders are aware of the policy.
Morocco: In September 2002, CCC Spain sent
a journalist to Tanger to follow up on the activities
of production for Spanish companies with a view to publish
a new report in the beginning of 2003 with Intermon-Oxfam.
The journalist constated again that several companies
moved their production to this region, using subcontracters
and violating the right of the employees. The main companies
who use this practice are: Inditex, El Corte Inglés
and Mayoral. We are currently planing the translation,
presentation, organising a speaker tour etc.
Censored video: The director of RTVE, Spanish
Public Television which is responsible for the censured
video "dirty rugs" has publicaly declared that
it will be broadcasted. Meanwhile, CCC Spain goes on with
collecting signatures during street actions, and on the
web which no doubt has had influence on the declaration
of the director.
Actions: Several street actions, petitions
signing, workshops, concerts, story tellers and workshops
with young people, as well as a cineforum were organized
raising awarness on consumer rights and labor conditions.
NETHERLANDS
July - October 2002
Companies:
Urgent Appeal went out on Mauritius, Belarusse and
India - to all protestletter writers in our system, and
this time together with environmental organisation (friends
of the earth), focused at Vendex/KBB. Broader distribution
then normal, many letters written.
Fair Wear Foundation:
Several companies interested, focus in the coming
period on building up partner networks and supporting
companies in organizing their internal monitoring
Clean Clothes Communities:
Newsletter was distributed via email, interest by
different local groups who take up the issue. One workshop
planned, and the idea is to organize a larger meeting
of the different communities at some time.
Fashion Files:
Exchange visit was organized with 10 young people
to Sri Lanka, CCC secretariat (Christa) together with
CNV youth organization. Several journalists joined the
group. The young people have committed to give the fashion
files.
Actions:
- 31 august we participated in a demonstration and
manifestation on the Johannesburg conference. Bodypainted
people were a great succes.
- Gucci: action organized on 31 october, card printed
and will be distributed especially among fashion students
Publications:
- dutch newsletter
- dutch leaflet
Other:
- Participated in a meeting with Cambodian delegation
organized by CNV
- Platform meeting organized