March 21, 2006

Six international brands -- American Eagle Outfitters, Gap Inc., Levi Strauss, PvH, Polo Ralph Lauren and Warnaco -- that buy apparel products from the State of Puebla in Mexico have urged the State Governor Mario Marin Torres to take proactive steps to ensure the physical safety of Martin Barrios and the members of the Commission.

On March 20th the six companies sent a joint letter to the governor. The text of the letter is as follows:

source: MSN (http://www.maquilasolidarity.org/alerts/martin05.htm)

March 20, 2006

The Honorable
Governor Mario Marín Torres
14 Oriente, No. 1006, Colonia El Alto, Puebla
Puebla, México
52-222-213-8805

Dear Governor Marín Torres:
As companies that buy apparel products from the State of Puebla, we have been closely monitoring recent events concerning the arrest, detention and release of Martín Barrios Hernández, president of the Comisión de Derechos Humanos y Laborales del Valle de Tehuacán.

We continue to receive reports indicating that concerns remain high for Mr. Barrios’ safety and for that of his co-workers and family. We are particularly concerned about reports alleging that Martin and his family have received death threats as a result of the Commission’s work drawing attention to labor issues.

It is important that we and other foreign buyers who do business in Puebla remain confident in the government’s commitment to freedom of expression and the rule of law. Regardless of the merit of these claims, we urge your government to take proactive steps to ensure the physical safety of Mr. Barrios, his family members, and other members of the Commission.

As companies that seek to source in countries and from suppliers that share our commitment to ensuring the respect for workers’ rights, we believe that local labor rights nongovernmental organizations can play an important role in working with manufacturers, government and buyers to help improve labor practices and working conditions in the apparel industry. They should be able to express their views freely and operate without fear of violence.

We appreciate the attention to these concerns by the government of the State of Puebla.

Sincerely,
American Eagle Outfitters
Gap Inc.
Levi Strauss & Co.
Phillips-Van Heusen
Polo Ralph Lauren
Warnaco Inc.

Contacts:
Guy D. Bradford
American Eagle Outfitters
bradfordg@ae.com

Darryl Knudsen
Gap Inc.
Darryl_knudsen@gap.com

Anna Walker
Levi Strauss & Co.
awalker@levi.com

Marcela Manubens
Phillips-Van Heusen
marcelamanubens@pvh.com

David Uricoli
Polo Ralph Lauren
david.uricoli@poloralphlauren.com

Ericka N. Alford
Warnaco Inc.
ealford@warnaco.com