AAFA alarmed at US labour department decision to cancel ILAB contracts

The American Apparel & Footwear Association recently expressed alarm at actions taken by the US department of labour to cancel all contracts for the latter’s Bureau of International Labour Affairs (ILAB).

“Our members, and their 3.5 million American workers, rely heavily on ILAB’s work to promote a fair global playing field for American workers and businesses,” said AAFA president and chief executive officer Steve Lamar in a statement.

The American Apparel & Footwear Association (AAFA) is alarmed at actions by the US department of labour to cancel all contracts for the latter’s Bureau of International Labour Affairs.
The decision will lead the country from “an even playing field to an uphill battle” and puts American workers and businesses last, leading to unfair competition with countries and foreign businesses, AAFA noted.

“ILAB, through its grants, technical assistance, and direct support, works to build institutions in countries around the world so that they can effectively raise labour standards and eliminate opportunities for less scrupulous foreign businesses to profit from labour abuses, while American businesses and workers play by the rules. With today’s [March 26] elimination of ILAB’s grants, we will be moving from an even playing field to an uphill battle,” his statement said.? 

ILAB, directly and through its grants, provides training to workers to help educate them on their rights and root out forced labour.

ILAB deploys labour attachés to US embassies and builds networks in key countries to provide real-time intelligence, contacts and solutions to promote and protect workers, identify unfair competition and enforce free trade agreements.

ILAB is a critical funder and manager of the International Labour Organisation’s (ILO) Better Work programme, which establishes strong labour enforcement and transparency in key countries around the world, which again contributes to leveling the playing field.

“ILAB’s work reflects the values of the American people and the Trump administration by putting American workers and businesses first,” said AAFA senior vice president of policy Nate Herman.

“Eliminating all ILAB grants instead puts American workers and American businesses last, leading to unfair competition with countries and foreign businesses that are not held to the same laws and standards for labor abuses, forced labour, human trafficking and child labour,” he said.

Earlier this week, AAFA signed onto a group letter to the US secretary of labour Lori Chavez-DeRemer urging reinstatement of an ILAB Uzbek cotton contract. That followed a March 11 broader call to protect ILAB.

Fibre2Fashion News Desk (DS)