Brookline, MA Anti-Sweatshop Resolution

Type: Resolution

Status: Adopted on 12/2/03 Unanimous

Source File: http://www.townofbrooklinemass.com/Selectmen/PDFs/MinutesArchive/SMM12.02.2003.PDF

Text:

RESOLUTION

WHEREAS, the Town of Brookline has always espoused humanitarian causes; and

WHEREAS, the citizens of the Town of Brookline have always requested that its Town officials act with compassion, fairness and equity in carrying on the business of Town government; and

WHEREAS, the citizens of the Town of Brookline regard the exploitation of workers whether in the production of goods or the furnishing or services as abhorrent and against the moral principles of the Town of Brookline and as embodied in our State and National Constitutions; and

WHEREAS, in this age of globalization it is important that the production of goods and services provided to the Town of Brookline are the result of the payment of fair wages and from an environment of fair working conditions; and

WHEREAS, the Town of Brookline desires to know and ensure that they are not using products or services resulting from the exploitation of workers; and

WHEREAS, there is no mechanism for the Town of Brookline to know under what conditions the goods or services it contracts for are being produced; and

WHEREAS, there is now pending before the Massachusetts General Court legislation requiring public disclosure, by every supplier of goods and services to any state or municipal entity, of the source of such goods or services including the right of inspection and verification at the source by appropriate agencies both governmental and non-governmental; and

WHEREAS, public disclosure will result in public pressure on institutional purchasers of goods and services to avoid purchasing from those suppliers using sweatshop labor.

NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED, that we, the Board of Selectmen for the Town of Brookline, endorse Senate Bill No. S2055, “An Act to Require Disclosure of Locations and Conditions of Manufacture of Services and Supplies Furnished the Commonwealth”; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that as governing body for the Town of Brookline, instruct our representatives in the General Court to exert every effort to bring about its passage.