Clean Clothes Campaign
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The Clean Clothes Campaign (CCC) is the garment industry's largest alliance of labour unions and non-governmental organizations.[1] The civil society campaign focuses on the improvement of working conditions in the garment and sportswear industries. Formed in the Netherlands in 1990, the alliance is international, currently active in 11 European countries: Austria, (North and South) Belgium, France, Germany, Italy, the Netherlands, Norway, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland and the United Kingdom.
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[edit] Structure
The national branches of the CCC are autonomous organizations of consumer groups, trade unions, human and women's rights organizations, researchers and activists. Twice a year, representatives from each branch come together to coordinate international activities.
[edit] Activities
In an effort to end garment industry exploitation of workers, the CCC pressures companies to ensure their products are produced in appropriate conditions, offers support to garment workers and organizations of garment workers, educates consumers about working condition concerns, and advocates legally for protection for employees in garment companies.
[edit] Retailers and distributors
The CCC focuses on major brands and large companies (particularly sportswear companies) as influential within their industry. The CCC has developed a "Code of Labour Practices for the Apparel Industry Including Sportswear" based upon the conventions of the United Nations' International Labour Organization. The principles set forth in this code include, among others, a minimum employment age, safe working requirements, set working hours and right to a living wave, among others. The CCC pressures retailers and manufacturers to adopt the Code of Labour Practices and ensure that the principles are upheld.
[edit] Support to workers
The CCC acts as an advocate for workers, trade unions and NGOs, processing their complaints of labour rights violations and following up on them with companies, the public and media.
[edit] Consumer education
The CCC publicizes through educational programmes, demonstrations, advertisement, debates, books, rallies and news outlets information related to the production of clothes and the misuse of garment workers. In the Netherlands, the CCC participated in a program to bring slide presentations to 1300 schools to raise awareness among young consumers.
[edit] Legal advocacy
The CCC lobbies for stronger worker protection legislation. It explores possibilities for mounting lawsuits against rights violators in their home countries.
[edit] Legal action against CCC
On June 25, 2007, the CCC and the India Committee of the Netherlands (ICN) were jointly summoned before a Bangalore court to answer accusations of cybercrime and criminal defamation, among others, against Fibres and Fabrics International and its subsidiary Jeans Knit Pvt Ltd. The charges stem from allegations that the organizations have illegally publicized information about labour rights violations committed by the company on their websites. The case has been extended to August 13 so that CCC and ICN may prepare their defense.
[edit] See also
- United Students Against Sweatshops
- Fairwear Australia
- Labour law
- Labor rights
- Sweatshop
- International Labour Organization Conventions
- Child labor
