Hundreds of Change.org readers have been calling on Abercrombie and Fitch and Gymboree to take action to stop forced child labor in Uzbekistan's cotton industry. The government of Uzbekistan continues to remove children from schools all across the country and force them to pick cotton. Our actions are having an impact on Abercrombie, but children's clothing brand Gymboree remains silent on the exploitation of Uzbek children.
After concerned consumers contacted Abercrombie about its policies related to Uzbek cotton, the company responded by saying that it prohibits the use of cotton from Uzbekistan due to the "government-sanctioned use of forced child labor." However, advocates are seeking more information from Abercrombie about how it ensures that this policy is implemented. The question of implementation is critical as right now. Uzbekistan is wrapping up the annual Tashkent Cotton Fair, in which it markets its tainted cotton supply to international traders. Abercrombie should provide more details on how it makes sure that its suppliers are not purchasing this cotton.
While Abercrombie has taken a very important first step forward, Gymboree has remained completely silent on forced child labor in Uzbek cotton. It is sadly ironic that a company that makes clothing for children could do so little in the face of the exploitation of children. Gymboree needs to hear your voice of concern on this issue. You can turn up the heat on Gymboree by joining a national call-in action today.
It's easy to participate. Just call Gymboree at 1-800-222-7758, extension 7264 (if you have any problems, dial 0 for the operator) and leave a message using the sample script below or feel free to speak from the heart.
As a consumer, I want to be sure that workers are respected in the production of my clothes. Gymboree is one of a handful of major clothing companies that has not taken any action to address forced child labor in Uzbekistan’s cotton industry. This inaction is unacceptable and I expect your company to do more to stop this abuse today. Will you issue a statement opposing forced child labor and commit to stop sourcing Uzbek cotton today?
You can also find the call information and a sample script and share information about how your call went here. Also, sign the Change.org petition and recruit your friends. You can take action on Facebook, by going to Gymboree's Facebook page and posting a message like: "Gymboree: Time to break the silence on forced child labor in Uzbekistan's cotton industry! Commit to stop sourcing Uzbek cotton today." You can also take action on Twitter by posting this message: "@Gymboree: Break the silence! Commit to stop sourcing cotton made by forced child labor in Uzbekistan today!"
Your actions are clearly making a difference. Let's keep up the pressure to end forced child labor in Uzbekistan's cotton fields!
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Photo credit: Ian Britton
Tim Newman is a campaigns assistant at the International Labor Rights Forum. He also works on the Stop Firestone campaign.
Source: End Human Trafficking
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