Tell Romney to Explain His Role in Sweatshop Brutality
- by: Susan V
- recipient: Mitt Romney
Amnesty International says the “next President must take the lead in setting the human rights agenda both domestically and internationally.”
This raises further questions about Romney’s role in women’s rights abuses at Chinese sweatshops. The Institute for Global Labour and Human Rights released a report last week describing one of Romney's investments in Dongguan as a "brutal Chinese sweatshop."
Several reports quote Romney saying he visited the factory prior to investing and noted “the pittance they earned” and the disgusting living conditions of the young women working there and kept behind a barbed-wire fence with guard towers.
In his preface to the IGLHR report, Charles Kermaghan points out that “In the context“ of Romney’s "get tough on China stance," he should “clarify exactly" what he did "to push back against the evident abuses in the factory and to assure respect for human, women’s and workers’ rights.”
Tell Romney to clarify his role in the operation of these brutal sweatshops.
Dear Mr. Romney;
We, the undersigned, agree with Charles Kermaghan, that it is essential that you clarify what, if anything you did to stop the abuses you witnessed at the Dongguan factory.
At the very least, you should clear up any misinformation about your role in these investments, if there has been any such misunderstanding reported in the media.
However, there appears to be enough information, along with the quote taken from a speech you reportedly gave in Boca Raton, Florida in May this year, to raise concerns about your commitment to human rights. Since that quote was taken out of context, perhaps you could elaborate.
The Institute for Global Labor and Human Rights report states that “as Bain Capital’s CEO, Mr. Romney apparently failed to urge Chinese management to even modestly improve Global-Tech’s gross working and living conditions or the pitifully low wages of its workers.” It adds that “Today at Global-Tech, every single labor law in China is violated: primitive, filthy dorm conditions are the norm; routine 15- to 16-hour shifts prevail, along with grueling 105- to 112-hour, seven-day work weeks.“
The report goes on to express the belief that had you “spoken up” about these conditions when you were sole shareholder, sole director, President and Chief Executive Officer of Brookside Inc, the brutal conditions in this factory “might be far better today.”
We agree with Amnesty International that “next President must take the lead in setting the human rights agenda both domestically and internationally.” And this is another reason it is so important that you, as a candidate for President, explain your history regarding human rights abuse.
Thank you for your time.
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