Michael Posner and Lynda Clarizio

About the author: Michael Posner is the executive director of the Lawyers Committee for Human Rights. Lynda Clarizio is a founding member of the Washington Advisory Council for the Lawyers Committee for Human Rights.

Initiated by Bill Clinton, the Apparel Industry Partnership is a coalition of apparel companies, human rights organizations, advocacy groups, and unions that is working to end the use of sweatshop labor. This coalition has created a Workplace Code of Conduct that requires participating companies and manufacturers to provide humane working conditions. The Code, which will be enforced by inspectors and independent monitors, prohibits the use of child labor and forced labor and ensures that employees work in safe, abuse-free environments. The Code also guarantees workers the right to collective bargaining and a minimum standard on wages and...