Fashion Show to Expose Sweatshop Abuses
A mock fashion show will kick off a public forum on Sweatshops, Free Trade and the Americas, aimed at highlighting the plight of women workers in the free trade zones of Central America who produce much of the clothing Canadians purchase.
Montreal, October 28, 1999 A mock fashion show will kick off a public forum on Sweatshops, Free Trade and the Americas, aimed at highlighting the plight of women workers in the free trade zones of Central America who produce much of the clothing Canadians purchase.
The event will expose the links between free trade and growing labour and human rights abuses in garment factories and sewing workshops throughout the Americas.
The "no-sweat" fashion show will feature high profile models, including Warren Allmand, President of the International Centre for Human Rights and Democratic Development (ICHRDD) and Maude Barlow, National Chairperson of the Council of Canadians. Members of Students Against Sweatshops-Canada (SAS-C) will also hit the catwalk, modelling clothes sold by companies linked to sweatshop abuses.
A panel discussion will follow the fashion show, featuring women activists from Mexico, Nicaragua and El Salvador who will describe their first hand experiences in the "Maquiladoras" and the local and international efforts aimed at ending labour and human rights abuses. The three panelists are actively involved in grass roots efforts to improve conditions for women garment workers in export factories producing apparel and other products for the North American market.
The participants are Reyna Montero of Casa de la Mujer (Women's House) in Tijuana, Mexico; Rosibel Flores de Rodriguez, the Director of the Women's Movement - "Melida Anaya Montes" in El Salvador; and Josefa Rivera of the Movement of Working and Unemployed Women - "Maria Elena Cuadra" in Nicaragua.
SWEATSHOPS, FREE TRADE AND THE AMERICAS is co-sponsored by the International Centre for Human Rights and Democratic Development, the Maquila Solidarity Network and Students Against Sweatshops-Canada. It is one in a week long series of activities in the "Our Americas: Creating a People's Vision of the Americas" events, organized to parallel the Trade ministers' meeting on the Free Trade of the Americas Area (FTAA), in Toronto.
Tuesday, November 2, 1999
7:30 p.m
City Room, Metro Hall
55 John Street, Toronto
For More Information
Bob Jeffcott or Lynda Yanz at the Maquila Solidarity Network at: (416) 532-8584 perg@web.net or the International Centre: Patricia Poirier: (514) 283-6073 or Tamara Herman: (514) 898-4157
