Sweatshop Fashion: "We'd be better off naked"

MEDIA RELEASE: Sweatshop Fashion: "We'd be better off naked"

MEDIA RELEASE - FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

RADICAL SOCIETY, VICTORIA UNIVERSITY

SWEATSHOP FASHION EXPOSED

Students, lead by Victoria University's Radical Society will participate in the May Day Carnival against Capitalism with an anti-Sweatshop fashion parade. This will be performed as street theatre as one of the numerous actions being organised by Wellington activist groups on Tuesday.

The parade will highlight the atrocious conditions in which our everyday clothes are produced. Featuring big name brands such as Nike, Reebok, and Adidas, while also pointing out that clothes in Glassons, Hallensteins, Kathmandu and others are just as likely to be produced in Sweatshop conditions.

"Our main focus is on the system of Capitalism that has allowed these conditions to exist. Free Trade makes the problems worse by allowing companies to shift their production to wherever labour costs are lowest." said Claire Wilson, a RadSoc spokesperson.

"In researching for this event we found that the same problems arose again and again, such as low wages, forced overtime, unsafe working conditions, and unfit housing. Frequently companies are violating their own codes of conduct." said Ms Wilson

"Personally, I think we'd be better off naked", concluded Ms Wilson

RadSoc will be joined by students from environmental group EcoAction in marching from Victoria University Quad at 1pm. The fashion parade will be held at the stage in Cuba Mall at 1:30pm.

For further information and comment, contact:

Claire Wilson, Nick Henry or Alistair Shaw 473-8566

or mobile: Catherine Belfield-Haines 025 276 1327