From: CNN
In: Newark, N.J.
Posted 10-16-97

Subject: Herman: N.Y. Garment Shops Violate Labor Laws

More than half of the garment shops in New York City are in violation of labor laws, according to a survey released today by the U.S. Department of Labor.

At a New Jersey press conference, Labor Secretary Alexis Herman said the survey showed 63 percent of the sewing contractors in the New York City garment industry were in violation of the minimum wage or overtime provisions of the Fair Labor Standards Act.

Calling these results "unacceptable," Herman said her department will step up the fight against sweatshops in New York City by targeting contract shops with a history of violations, and by requiring manufacturers to monitor their contractors. "And we will seek legal action including temporary restraining orders to prevent the shipment of hot goods by these manufacturers," Herman said.

Herman made the announcements at a press conference highlighting a new sweatshop initiative by the Archdiocese of Newark.

The two-part initiative, outlined by Archbishop Theodore McCarrick, involves making sure that manufacturers of Catholic school and athletic uniforms comply with labor laws. "If a manufacturer is found not in compliance, our schools will urge them to comply if they wish the school or program of the school to continue to purchase their goods," McCarrick said.

The second part of the initiative involves a new curriculum that has been developed to teach students in grade seven through 12 about labor issues and sweatshops.

Herman praised the efforts of the Archdiocese, saying "no child should wear clothes that are made by workers who were robbed of their own childhood."

In Other News:

Thursday Oct. 16, 1997

• Democratic Contributors Got Hefty Government Contracts
• Clinton Spares Congress' Money
• Reno Survives House Committee Grilling

E-mail From Washington:
• Gore Praises Hollywood For Imagination, Ethics
• DNC Pitches In In N.J.
• Herman: N.Y. Garment Shops Violate Labor Laws
• More Trade Tensions With Japan

Special Coverage:
• The Money Trail: The White House Tapes