IKEA charged with racism and exploitation

The piece looks at racial discrimination charges against the company, airs employees' complaints of workplace mistreatment, and examines Ikea's Walton-like efforts to bust union-organizing drives. Taken together, the allegations undermine one of Ikea's unique selling propositions and, in the process, lay bare a disturbing new economic dynamic -- one that now ensnares even the companies we think are the most socially conscious of all.

Buried in the Times report is the troubling story of why Ikea opened a plant in the United States in the first place. No, the decision wasn't made to take advantage of superior workforce skills or productivity -- positive attributes that once drove our manufacturing sector and built our middle class. Instead, it was made to exploit our decreasing wage levels and weak worker protections.

Though company factories in Sweden produce the same bookcases as the plant in Virginia, the Times notes that "the big difference is that the Europeans enjoy a minimum wage of about $19 an hour and a government-mandated five weeks of paid vacation (while) full-time employees in Danville start at $8 an hour with 12 vacation days" -- and that doesn't count the one-third of Danville workers who are paid even less because they are deliberately subcontracted through temp agencies.

The piece looks at racial discrimination charges against the company, airs employees' complaints of workplace mistreatment, and examines Ikea's Walton-like efforts to bust union-organizing drives. Taken together, the allegations undermine one of Ikea's unique selling propositions and, in the process, lay bare a disturbing new economic dynamic -- one that now ensnares even the companies we think are the most socially conscious of all.

Buried in the Times report is the troubling story of why Ikea opened a plant in the United States in the first place. No, the decision wasn't made to take advantage of superior workforce skills or productivity -- positive attributes that once drove our manufacturing sector and built our middle class. Instead, it was made to exploit our decreasing wage levels and weak worker protections.

Though company factories in Sweden produce the same bookcases as the plant in Virginia, the Times notes that "the big difference is that the Europeans enjoy a minimum wage of about $19 an hour and a government-mandated five weeks of paid vacation (while) full-time employees in Danville start at $8 an hour with 12 vacation days" -- and that doesn't count the one-third of Danville workers who are paid even less because they are deliberately subcontracted through temp agencies.

http://www.alternet.org/story/150615/ikea_joins_the_race_to_the_bottom_with_the_treatment_of_its_u.s._workers?page=entire

Shop with a Conscience Consumer Guide

Check out this year's Sweatshop Hall of Shame

We have worked hard to pull together the good, bad and the ugly of the apparel industry. The Shop with a Conscience Consumer Guide sponsored by the International Labor Rights Forum (ILRF) and SweatFree Communities (SFC) highlights companies that are transparent, pay a decent wage, and promote workers’ right to organize. The Sweatshop Hall of Shame, sponsored by ILRF, is a list of “bad and ugly” companies that are flouting international core labor standards and basic worker rights.

The Shop with a Conscience Consumer Guide features clothing produced in shops where workers are organized into democratic unions or worker-owned cooperatives and have an effective, collective voice in deciding their wages and working conditions. The companies highlighted produce clothing in adherence to international core labor standards, pay decent wages, maintain healthy and safe working conditions, and treat workers with respect and dignity.

The 2010 Guide features the following brands: Autonomie Project, DeMoulin Apparel, Donnelly/Colt, Fair Trade Sports, Justice Clothing, Just Shirts, Kenneth Gordon, Leather Coats, Maggie’s Organics, Metro Sportswear, Nicaraguan Garment Workers Fund, No Sweat Apparel, Rage Baby, SterlingWear, Traditions Fair Trade, and The Working World. There is also a wholesale guide for ordering t-shirts or other items for your book club, sports team, place of worship, or school.

Sweatshop Hall of Shame inductees are known for paying workers poverty wages to toil for excessively long hours under hazardous working conditions. This year's official inductees are: Abercrombie, Gymboree, Hanes, Ikea, Kohl’s, LL Bean, Pier 1, Propper International, and Walmart. Most of this year’s Hall of Shame inductees use suppliers that practice illegal tactics to suppress workers’ rights to organize. And, some even use cotton riddled with child and forced labor.

For those of you not into shopping, check out a list of other ways you can make sure the clothing you are wearing doesn't come at the cost of worker exploitation.

Happy holidays,

International Labor Rights Forum

google sweat shop hall of fame for more information

SweatFree Communities: 2010 Shop with a Conscience Consumer Guide

December 16, 2008

PROVINCE, CITY TO ACCELERATE CAPITAL PLANS AS PART OF PROPOSED IKEA SITE


The Province of Manitoba and City of Winnipeg will work together to accelerate the widening of Kenaston Boulevard and Sterling Lyon Parkway to meet the timelines of a proposed new Winnipeg Ikea site, Premier Gary Doer and Mayor Sam Katz said today.

The premier said the province will advance its share of capital funding to the city of up to $8 million for the projects. The widening of Kenaston Boulevard and Sterling Lyon Parkway is already included in the city’s Plan Winnipeg, but would be accelerated to accommodate Ikea’s development plans, pending a public rezoning process and open house that will take place this spring.

“Advancing already scheduled infrastructure will help this project move forward,” said Doer.

“The city has worked diligently to create an ‘open for business’ environment that attracts growth and positive developments like Ikea,” said Katz. “By accelerating existing infrastructure plans, we are encouraging smart responsible development and I am thrilled to see this major retail project transform from talk to action.

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