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Date of publication: September 21, 2005

Source: The Daily Review

Author: Maria Trombetta, CORRESPONDENT

Fair wages, decent working conditions required for doing business with city

SAN FRANCISCO — One of the strongest anti-sweatshop laws in the country will take effect within 90 days in the city of San Francisco. The legislation will ensure garments purchased by city contractors and vendors conform to a "sweat-free" code of conduct, which includes a living wage requirement and a ban on child labor.

The law was passed unanimously by the Board of Supervisors on Sept. 13, and is the first of its kind in Northern California. The cities of Albuquerque, N.M., Los Angeles, Newark, N.J., and Milwaukee also have anti-sweatshop laws.

Tax dollars used to buy uniforms, sheets and towels will be spent on companies that pay their workers a fair minimum wage and provide safe working environments. The law forces companies to guarantee that no child, foreign convict or slave labor was used to manufacture their goods.

"It eventually is going to transform the way the city government does its purchasing," said Andy Blue, from the human rights organization Global Exchange. "We knew it was coming, but it is a victory."

The sweat-free legislation includes $100,000 for enforcement of the law, and is backed by an advisory committee made up of several worker's rights organizations.

Companies will have to disclose where their factories are located, and the amount their workers are paid. Those who violate the code would not be allowed to renew their contracts with the city.

"Sweatshop labor practices, including the use of forced and child labor are antithetical to the values of our city and county," said Mayor Gavin Newsom in a press release.

"We want to take this farther," said Blue. "We would love to see Oakland and Berkeley and Alameda County pass similar laws."

According to Blue, the law also contains a "local purchase preference" which encourages the city to buy goods from local businesses.

"It is easier to enforce if (the business) is local," said Blue. "And it means more local jobs.