As nations prepare their sportspersons to make a mark at the Beijing Olympics, the world’s biggest sporting event, little has been done for those workers without whose contribution the games would lose their luster. The people who make sportswear and sports goods toil under harsh conditions, battling insecure employment and low wage, insufficient to cover even their basic needs.
Extensive violation of workers rights in the sportswear industry has become the norm of the day. Studies by NGO’S and labour activist have established that during manufacturing of sports goods and sportswear, manufactures hardly offer living wage, delay payment of wage and workers are forced to work overtime without being compensated.
Beijing Olympics 2008 gives us a unique opportunity to bring to the attention of the world the deteriorating condition of workers in sportswear and sports goods manufacturing. Play Fair 2008 India Campaign, a part of the global Play Fair 2008 campaign, addresses this issue by persuading the Olympics Association, brands and suppliers and government to respect worker’s rights and ensure that there is observance of good labour practices.
If you want to raise your voice against exploitation in sports wear and sports goods industry, we appeal to you to participate in passing on this torch. Thousands of people across the world have already signed in. The signatures will be handed over to the International Olympics Committee (IOC) on June 10 and also to the Indian Olympics Association. So Catch the Flame now.