The task force, which includes representatives of giant garment retailers like Nike and the Gap, announced a voluntary program to improve conditions in the garment industry. But garment worker advocates say the program allows industry to police itself. The city of North Olmsted, Ohio, recently adopted a resolution to not buy goods made in sweatshops. The resolution also defines what working conditions are acceptable. Inspired by North Olmsted actions, Sweatshop Watch urged participants at the Mayor's Conference in San Francisco in June of 1997 to adopt a similar resolution.
Participants learn about the causes of domestic violence, the symptoms and possible legal remedies.
Trained women then return to their communities and educate fellow farmworkers to identify domestic violence and find solutions to end the cycle of violence. The women now know that they can turn to a supportive peer for help. As a result, we are launching a study on this issue. A significant number of this nation's immigrant population live in California. One-fourth of all welfare recipients in California are not native English speakers.