City of Clayton to Explore 'Sweat Free' Ordinance

Big change starts with small steps. That's the idea behind a proposal to make the City of Clayton a Sweat-Free city. 

Ward II alderwoman Michelle Harris proposed that the city pass an ordinance or resolution that would prohibit city funds being spent on clothing or items that are made using sweatshop labor.

Harris said she was called to action after seeing media coverage of the garment factory collapse in Bangladesh which killed close to 1,127 people, according to the Los Angeles Times.

"This is a women's issue and it's a child labor issue," she said.

If Clayton passes such a resolution or ordinance, it would join nine states, 40 cities, 15 counties, 118 school districts, and one nationwide religious denomination  that have adopted such “sweat free” policies, according to grassroots organization Sweatfree.org.  

That list includes the City of St. Louis, St. Louis County and University City.

Mayor Harold Sanger questioned how the city would be able to track contractors and subcontractors to but added that when the city is looking at its plastic bag usage, it should also explore issues such as this.

"I don't think we should throw this under the table," Sanger said.

Ward III Alderman Alex Berger III noted that sweatshop labor is a big issue—one that might be too big for the City of Clayton to tackle.

"Labor and the cost of labor is difficult to assess based on U.S. standards," he said. "Hospital scrubs that cost my former company $10.50 to make in the U.S. cost $2.50 in Costa Rica and 25 cents in India."

Berger added that he is a staunch advocate for fairness and human rights, he just didn't know how the city would get into the issue.

It was decided that city staff would look into the feasibility of such a policy and report back to the board.

Do you think Clayton should look at going "sweat free"? Tell us in the comments. 

Join Clayton-Richmond Heights Patch for more community news or join us on Facebook and Twitter.