We're Not Sweatshops - Garments Exporters Worry About Int'l Image

'WE'RE NOT SWEATSHOPS'

Garments exporters worry about int'l image Posted: 0:30 AM (Manila Time) | Jul. 06, 2003 By Michelle V. Remo and Martin P. Marfil Inquirer News Service

Shun sweatshop operations THE PHILIPPINES' major garments exporters adhere to core labor standards and international labor relations principles and shun sweatshop operations. This is the contention of Donald Dee, president of the Confederation of Garment Exporters of the Philippines (Congep), in reaction to the special report that the Inquirer ran last week on the inhumane working conditions at Anvil Ensembles, a garments factory in the eastern town of Taytay, Rizal province. Dee, also president of the Employers Confederation of the Philippines, said Anvil was not a member of Congep. Nevertheless, he said, the Inquirer report could taint the image of the entire garments industry that was contributing about three billion dollars in revenue every year, and cause the displacement of an estimated 400,000 workers. "If there are cases like [Anvil's], the media should remember that our major customers [abroad] could pick up the story, and this could make them drop their orders. That is why I am reacting this way..." an annoyed Dee said in an interview. He added: "Can you imagine the economic impact and [possible] dislocation you have caused, just because of this one small export company whose revenue is insignificant compared with what the whole industry [contributes]?" Dee also said that key players in the local garments export industry were in fact the first members of the Responsible Apparel Production (RAP) program, an international memorandum of cooperation promoting decent work practices and humane working conditions. He said the Inquirer should have considered the moves of the private sector and the Department of Trade and Industry before running the special report, to avoid creating a negative impression of the local garments industry. The Inquirer report detailed the Anvil workers' complaints on overtime, underpayment and unsanitary working conditions, as well as the alleged offer to them of the insomniainducing drug Duromine to keep them awake during peak-season 48- to 72-hour work shifts. The Department of Labor and Employment, through regional director Maximo Lim, on Friday accused Anvil of violating labor laws and standards and ordered it to pay 137 workers a total of 5.8 million pesos in back wages and unpaid benefits within 10 days.

The order was in response to a complaint filed several months earlier by the workers, who said they had not been given benefits and were underpaid for the past three years. But Anvil union president Lorna de la Cruz Saturday said the workers were keener on getting assurance that they would not lose their jobs. "If there is no order closing down the factory, that is good," she said. "All we want is for the factory to treat us better, to give us what is due us. That is all." Acting Labor Secretary Manuel Imson said Anvil management's non-compliance with the order could result in the closure of the factory. Remo, Michelle V. & Martil, Martin P. (July 6, 2003). ‘We’re not sweatshops’ Garment exporters worry about int’l image. Retrieved August 1, 2005 from the World Wide Web: http://www.inq7.net/nat/2003/jul/06/nat_4-1.htm