One point on the workers' rights issue that remains obscure is that the Worker Rights Consortium and the Fair Labor Association are two unique groups that are not affiliated with each other ("University Sits Down With Workers' Rights Group," Nov. 12). The university will be making a choice between them as its monitoring body.
The WRC responds to complaints filed through local non-governmental organizations, making visits to manufacturers unannounced, and interacting with workers confidentially in their homes or at community centers. On the other hand, the FLA stages interviews with workers in the presence of management. In addition, the WRC collaborates with NGOs to compile reports on the day-to-day life of workers. WRC reactions are rapid, responding in a few days to urgent situations. Comprehensive reports of WRC activities are published regularly, as opposed to FLA "annual" reports, published only once in the five years since the FLA's inception.
The most important item to consider is that 40 percent of the FLA's governing board consists of corporate representatives, who hold veto power over any proposition. There is virtually no labor representation on their executive board. However, the WRC is a council of labor, university administration and students.
In reality, the FLA does little more than ask companies to regulate themselves, by seeking to accredit apparel brands in compliance with FLA standards. Instead, the WRC directly helps workers empower themselves and assists colleges in enforcing their codes of manufacturer conduct.
Photo: Courtesy of Matthew Messina, from the RMBERS' Instagram page
