Labouring under an Illusion? Lesotho's 'sweat-free' label

Bibliographic Data

ID5832550
AuthorsGay W Seidman (0000-0002-4500-0106, University of Wisconsin–Madison, corresponding author)
Year2009
Volume30
Issue3
Pages581-598
Publication date2009-03-31
Peer ReviewedYes
Open AccessNo
TypeARTICLE
VenueThird World Quarterly (JOURNAL)
Journal identifiersISSN: 0143-6597 • E-ISSN: 1360-2241
PublisherTaylor & Francis (PUBLISHER • GB)
DOI10.1080/01436590902742347
OpenAlexW4242714466
LanguageEN
Citations received12

In 2007 Lesotho's apparel manufacturers took a remarkable step: they voted unanimously to adopt a national 'sweat-free' strategy, promising to protect and strengthen workers' rights in the tiny, landlocked country. This paper seeks first to explain why manufacturers supported the move, in the context of changing market prospects as well as global pressure from multinational brands and international agencies. The paper then asks whether Lesotho offers a shining example or a cautionary tale for developing countries facing similar dilemmas about how to protect citizens' rights at work. Notes I am grateful to the many people in Geneva and Lesotho who agreed to be interviewed for this paper; and for help from Andries Bezuidenhout, Bridget Kenney, Atul Kohli, Anne Posthuma, Marc Schneiberg and Andrew Schrank. 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