London 2012 Organisers Urged to Produce Olympic Goods Ethically

The Playfair 2012 coalition is beginning to run a campaign, which is designed to ensure the ethical production of sportswear and goods to be used in the 2012 Olympics.

The TUC and Labour Behind the Label co-ordinate the Playfair campaign and the organisers of the London 2012 Olympics are being urged to ensure that the sportswear is created under ethical circumstances. The campaign is hoping that organisers will agree that all Olympic-branded goods will be produced in ethical circumstances, strictly avoiding poor working conditions including low pay and dangerous environments.

It is rumoured that the Olympics has a poor record when it comes to worker’s rights, often using unethical labour to create the sportswear, goods and souvenirs sold during the events. Workers in China, at a supplier for Adidas, were making sports shoes for just £20 per month, while the shoes retailed for over £50 a pair. Additionally, it was discovered that child labour was being used to produce stationery items and some of the children as young as 12 were working 15hr days.

Delivering a legacy for London was at the heart of the Government's successful Olympic bid. And what better legacy than a commitment to end the exploitation and abuse involved in the sportswear and athletic footwear industries? We want London 2012 to raise the bar on worker's rights throughout Olympic supply chains,” said TUC General Secretary Brendan Barber. Look at ssd performance next time you consider a hard drive.