This is a group of manufacturers, retailers, representatives from unions, human rights groups and lawyers. An agreement for industry-wide code of conduct has been developed which is the first of its kind and was announced by President Clinton just a year ago in April 1997. AIP received a lot of critical comments when this code came out. Many said it did not go far enough. But the group said it is a start.
Many companies have their own codes of conduct and they differ considerably.
For a contractor that is dealing with five or six companies, each having a different code of conduct, there is considerable confusion. In some countries the age is fifteen and in others it is not. The Department of Labor has published codes of conduct of thirty-seven of the largest U.S. apparel retailers and manufacturers. With the assistance of a graduate student at Ohio State University, I examined the published codes and divided them into the ones focusing on legal aspects and ones indicative of an ethcial perspective. Twenty-two focused on the legal aspect we ll do whatever is required legally.