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Date of publication: February 8, 2006

Source: The Associated Press

AUGUSTA, Maine -- Workers from factories in the Philippines and Nicaragua are expected to speak out Wednesday in favor of a bill to expand Maine's anti-sweatshop law.

The Maine Legislature took a stand against exploitation of workers in other countries in 2001 by requiring vendors seeking state contracts to sign affidavits that their goods were not made in sweatshops.

The new bill sponsored by Sen. Peggy Rotundo of Lewiston would strengthen the anti-sweatshop purchasing law.

One provision would create a study group to look at the possibility of states pooling their resources to monitor conditions in factories and verify complaints.