She and a few other students got to work to find answers. It didn t take long to learn that many clothes bearing the school s name are made in countries notorious for sweatshop practices. So last year, they began campaigning at their school to convince their administration to adopt a code of conduct to protect the rights of workers manufacturing clothing bearing the school s name. And now I d like to call on all our models back on stage. All of these major apparel companies have a responsibility to ensure that all the workers who make their products are provided a living wage and decent working conditions, and that their right to organize to improve conditions is respected.
Consumers have a right to know where our clothes are made and under what conditions.
Companies must publicly disclose information on the name and location of their supply factories, and allow independent monitoring of factory conditions. We are not asking you to boycott any of the products shown in this fashion show. We don t advocate boycotts unless the affected workers request us to act, or in exceptional circumstances when countries are determined to be systematic violators of worker and human rights. We are asking that you support the efforts of garment, toy and shoe workers around the world to improve their wages and working conditions.