Sweatshops must be reformed

No talking, resting or getting up. Someone might even follow you into the bathroom. \nFor the workers at the Kukdong garment factory in Atlixco, Mexico, these are the new factory rules. After two weeks of being the victims of a brutal anti-freedom of association campaign, those who have returned to work out of desperation are subject to more abuse and harassment than ever before. They are yelled at, called names and denied some of their most basic rights as they work long hours each day producing Nike sweatshirts for many of America's largest universities, including IU. \nJan. 9, 800 workers at Kukdong staged a work stoppage to protest low wages, worm-ridden food in the plant cafeteria and the withholding of legally-mandated Christmas bonuses. On the evening of Jan. 11, riot police attacked the peaceful strikers, resulting in the hospitalization of at least 15 workers. Jan. 17, the workers agreed to return, after being told their demands would be met. No sooner had they returned than management began firing anyone involved with the strike. \nThe underlying issue here is the workers' legal right to freedom of association. They are powerless to do anything about their working conditions because the management will not recognize their autonomous union. This is a violation of Mexican law, Nike's Code of Conduct and IU's Code of Conduct for apparel manufacturers.\nThere has been significant international response to the Kukdong strike. United Students Against Sweatshops organized a letter-writing campaign and a day of action to protest the situation. Thousands of letters have been written to Nike and the Kukdong management. Jan. 17, students on more than 20 campuses, including members of No Sweat! at IU, staged demonstrations. \nDozens of newspapers have reported the issue. Yet nothing thus far has convinced Kukdong's management that it is time to respect the rights of workers. If Kukdong continues to get away with these violations, the workers' struggle could be lost in a matter of days.\nThe two entities with the power to force Kukdong to stop these illegal acts are Nike and the Mexican government. The Mexican government has been an accomplice in the union-busting campaign and will continue to do so. While Nike is clearly aware of the situation, the corporation has taken no effective steps to ensure that the legal rights of these workers are protected. \nThe Worker Rights Consortium, an independent monitoring association, of which IU is a member, sent a delegation to Kukdong this past weekend. Once they issue a report verifying the conditions, we are confident IU will call on Nike to immediately correct these violations. \nBut the fates of these brave workers could be decided in the next few days, before there is time for an IU committee to review the report and make a recommendation to the president. We are calling on IU President Myles Brand to immediately make a public statement to Nike, expressing IU's willingness to act once conditions are verified. We know the administration is committed to workers' rights and trust that IU will take meaningful action in this situation.