[Congressional Record Volume 159, Number 68 (Wednesday, May 15, 2013)]
[House]
[Page H2624]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                       SUPPORTING GARMENT WORKERS

  (Ms. KAPTUR asked and was given permission to address the House for 1 
minute and to revise and extend her remarks.)
  Ms. KAPTUR. Just this past Sunday, our Nation celebrated Mother's 
Day, a day that honors the mothers of our Republic. In March, we 
observed Women's History Month, honoring the progress toward full 
equality of over half our population.
  Thus, one would have thought that when over 1,100 garment workers in 
Bangladesh--seamstresses, sewers, cutters, helpers--died working in 
dangerous factory conditions for an average wage of $38 a month, 
America's retailers would have been the first to sign the landmark 
international safety agreement to improve the working conditions of 
these workers, who are predominantly women.
  Surely, when 20 percent of Bangladesh's exports, mostly garments, are 
destined for U.S. buyers, our Nation's clothing firms should be on the 
front lines fighting for decent working conditions and a fair day's 
pay, not exploiting women workers.
  But only Tommy Hilfiger and Calvin Klein have stood up for women 
garment workers, millions of invisible hands working in death traps, 
making so much of the clothing we wear that is marketed in our country.
  So, where are Walmart and Sears? Where is the Gap? Where is Target? 
They appear to be missing in action. We need to reward those companies 
that care about workers and women workers in particular. When you think 
about buying clothing, think Tommy Hilfiger and Calvin Klein and ask, 
Where are the others? Without conscience and, obviously, on the wrong 
side of honor.

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