SWEATSHOP FREE PROCUREMENT POLICY AND CODE OF CONDUCT FOR APPAREL CONTRACTORS

Binding City Policy

BCP-ADM-1.16

Link to Exhibit A - Sweatshop Free Procurement Policy  (PDF Document, 48 kb)

Link to Exhibit B - Code of Conduct for Apparel Contractors  (PDF Document, 24 kb)

PURPOSE

WHEREAS, City Resolution 36527, adopted August 29, 2007, established the City's intent to create a sweatshop free procurement policy for uniforms and clothing purchases to be implemented in 2008; and

WHEREAS, the City recognizes that its purchase of uniforms and clothing products have inherent social and human health impacts, and that the City should make procurement decisions that embody the City's ongoing commitment to promote social justice and better working conditions by specifically addressing sweatshop free procurement practices; and

WHEREAS, the City intends to actively participate and collaborate with public agencies and other non-profit organizations to promote sweatshop free procurement practices, the hiring of independent compliance monitors and working with uniform contractors to bring their points of production facilities into compliance with the policy; and

WHEREAS, the City has committed to support the creation of the State and Local Government Sweatfree Consortium to collaborate with other public agencies to share information related to monitoring the suppliers, factory locations and adherence to the Sweatshop Free Policy (or Code of Conduct); and

WHEREAS, once formed, the State and Local Government Sweatfree Consortium is intended to be an advocacy, expertise, standard-setting and resource organization through which the City may collaborate with other government agencies and labor rights advocates regarding needs, opportunities and "best practices" in sweatfree procurement, potentially providing resources and education for vendors, governments, and workers; consultations with government purchasers, bidders and vendors; a sweatfree database of vendors and factories to allow members to share data on suppliers with regard to labor practices; and other services; and

WHEREAS, as a founding member of the Consortium, the City has the opportunity to shape its work and direction, based on the guidelines and principles outlined in the Code of Conduct and Sweatshop Free Purchasing Policy (appendix A and B); and

WHEREAS, City Resolution 36527, adopted August 29, 2007, established a nine member Policy Committee to recommend a Code of Conduct and a Sweatshop Free Procurement Policy; and

WHEREAS, the Policy Committee is recommending the City adopt the attached Sweatshop Free Procurement Policy and the Code of Conduct for Apparel Contractors; and

POLICY

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, that the City of Portland Sweatshop Free Procurement Policy attached hereto as Exhibit A and the City of Portland Code of Conduct for Apparel Contractors attached hereto as Exhibit B, is adopted; and 

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, the Bureau of Purchases will prepare a budgetary decision package in conjunction with the City's Annual Budget submittal process to allocate resources not to exceed 1% of the cost of uniforms and clothing purchased during the previous calendar year to secure independent monitoring, cooperative sweatshop free apparel procurement, and a list of approved uniform contractors in concert with the State and Local Government Sweatfree Consortium, the State of Oregon, public procurement associations and/or other appropriate bodies; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that this resolution is binding city policy and supersedes prior sweatshop free procurement strategies adopted in Resolution No. 36527.

Link to Exhibit A - Sweatshop Free Procurement Policy  (PDF Document, 48 kb)

Link to Exhibit B - Code of Conduct for Apparel Contractors  (PDF Document, 24 kb)

HISTORY

Resolution No. 36641, adopted by City Council October 15, 2008.