All workers should be treated with basic dignity. By adopting the monitoring principles outlined in this booklet, you are joining the Department of Labor and many other of our country's finest retailers and manufacturers in the commitment to eradicate sweatshops from the American fashion industry. These companies know that there is a serious problem within the industry and acknowledge their ability to correct it by insisting that their contractors and suppliers obey the law and by monitoring their supplier networks for compliance. Thank you for responding to my call to action. I applaud your efforts to establish monitoring programs and look forward to the day when we can all take credit, once and for all, for putting an end to sweatshops in America.
Hot goods are items made in violation of the minimum wage, over time or child labor requirements.
The Department will not lift its objection to goods being shipped or sold until the contractor's employees have received the back wages owed them. Some things you can do. Let them know that you intend to monitor their compliance with the Act. Work with your contractor to conduct a pre-contract review of pricing terms. Contractors' pricing terms should be competitive but sufficient to cover the actual costs of producing the goods.