Sew-in - near Athen's Acropolis

Date: 10 August 2004

In what is being billed as the biggest anti-sweatshop mobilisation ever, the Clean Clothes Campaign, Global Unions and Oxfam are challenging the IOC and sportswear companies to accept their responsibility to stop the exploitation of workers producing the sportswear that is marketed through the Olympic Games.

Under embargo until 11:00 (Greek time) on Tuesday 10 August 2004

Women at sewing machines representing exploited faceless workers.

On August 10, in Greece, a group of faceless activists, working at sewing machines on a rooftop in the centre of Athens, with the backdrop of the Acropolis, will draw attention to the plight of exploited faceless workers.

In March 2004, the Clean Clothes Campaign, Global Unions and Oxfam coalition launched a campaign on abuse and exploitation of sportswear workers entitled Play Fair at the Olympics. Research revealed that inadequate wages, high levels of compulsory overtime, impossibly high work targets, denial of workers' rights, sexual harassment and verbal abuse pervades the sportswear industry worldwide.

Hundreds of organisations have participated in the campaign in over 35 countries. There have been more than 500 local events and more than half a million signatures have been collected in support of the campaign.

Supporters of the campaign include world famous Olympians - Spanish cyclist Miquel Indurain, Canadian middle distance runner Bruce Kidd, US hammer thrower Kevin McMahon, Spanish synchronised swimmer Gemma Mengual, Australian swimmer Sarah Houbolt, Dutch long distance runner Kamiel Maase and the French World Cup soccer player Didier Deschamps.

Several sports brands - including adidas, Nike, Reebok and Puma - have responded to the campaign's proposals to end labour abuses in sportswear sector.

Confirming the importance of the respect for workers' rights, these companies have shown willingness to work on several areas outlined in the proposals.

Unfortunately, other companies highlighted in the campaign as well as the global industry association which represents the sporting goods companies have been slower to respond.

Disappointingly, the IOC is refusing either to take any moral leadership on the issue, or to the take responsibility for workers' rights in Olympic sponsorship and licensing programmes at global, national and Games level.

Furthermore it is refusing to accept in Athens the more than half a million signatures that the campaign has collected in support of its aims.

Note for journalists:

The photo opportunity for the 'sew-in' will take place at 11am on Tuesday 10th August, on the rooftop of the Titania Hotel, Panepistimiou 52, Athens. Metro station Omonia Square, metro line 2.

Media are invited to attend.

Workers, researchers and activists from Indonesia, India and Turkey and spokespersons from Clean Clothes Campaign, Global Unions and Oxfam are available for interviews in Athens from 7 - 13 August.

For more information and requests for interviews

Barbara Kwateng, press officer Global Unions, tel: + 32 476 621 018 (English, German)

Magali Audion, press officer CCC, tel: + 33 671 21 26 82 (French)

Javier Herrero, press officer Oxfam, tel: + 34 6 15 35 94 01 (Spanish)

Also available on Greek mobile phone numbers - (+30) 697 9831884 or (+30) 697 9924407

Recent research on labour conditions in the sportswear industry in Indonesia and detailed information about the steps taken by sportswear companies and the IOC are available.

www.fairolympics.org

For further information

Contact:	Andrew Casey
Union:	Liquor, Hospitality and Miscellaneous Workers Union
Phone:	8204 7206
Fax:	92821 4480
Email:	andrewc@lhmu.org.au
WWW:	http://www.lhmu.org.au/

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