Jewel supporting sweatshops?

Earlier this year, Tommy Hilfiger along with many other companies [The Associated Merchandising Corp., Cutter & Buck Inc., Dayton-Hudson Inc. (Marshall Fields, Mervyn's, Target), The Dress Barn Inc., The Gap Inc., Gymboree Manufacturing Inc., J Crew Inc., JC Penney Company Inc., Jones Apparel Group, Lane Bryant Inc., The Limited Inc., The May Department Stores Company (Famous-Barr, Filene's, Foley's, Hecht's, The Jones Store, Kaufmann's, Lord & Taylor, L.S Ayres, Meier & Frank, Robinsons-May, Strawbridges), Nordstrom Inc., Oshkosh B'Gosh Inc., Sears, Roebuck and Company, Walmart Corp., Warnaco, Inc.] became defendants in three lawsuits brought by over 50,000 workers in sweatshops in the United States, in a place called Saipan, part of a Commonwealth of the U.S. called the North Mariana Islands. These workers are represented by Milberg, Weiss, Bershad, Hynes, & Lerach LLP in San Diego. The suit alleges that the companies violated federal law by: engaging in a racketeering conspiracy using indentured labor; failing to pay overtime; creating intolerable work and living conditions; violating OSHA standards in ways capable of causing death or serious injury; and using misleading advertising of the "Made in the USA" labels so consumers believe the product was made by American workers protected by our labor laws. Women from Asia, called 'guest workers' are promised good wages, food and 'American style' living, but when they arrive the must sign "shadow contracts" to pay recruiting fees of as much as $7,000 and waiving basic human rights, including the freedom to date or marry. They live in housing compounds infested with vermin and insects, surrounded by fences often topped with inside-pointing barbed wire. Food was unhygienic, leading to intestinal problems. When sick, workers were not allowed contact outside the compound and garment contractors provided medical care to workers in the factories. "Many workers report suffering at the hands of these company doctors and some even witnessed colleagues die after being denied basic medical care." The lawsuits continue in California courts….

Jewel also recently partnered with Target to distribute organic cotton T-shirts. Target donated $75,000 to Higher Ground For Humanity to distribute Jewel's shirts. Jewel deserves credit for convincing Target to sell an organic cotton T-shirt for the first time. However, Target is doing something called 'greenwashing' (and human rights' washing) by putting on appearances, 'we contributed to this environmental and socially friendly group and are endorsed by Jewel', even though they continue to violate the human rights of people working in sweatshops around the world.

After seeing information about the lawsuits, I wanted to get the message out to all Jewel fans. I am NOT bashing Jewel at all!! On her web site, www.jeweljk.com, Jewel and Nedra stress, "the philosophical, ethical, and spiritual covenant that is an integral part of our lives and work." "We choose to advocate values and principles that improve the human condition and foster the positive spiritual evolution of human awareness and actions." Not too many people would disagree that Jewel is willing to do what she says she believes in, which makes this whole thing stupidly ironic.

Bottom line(s): When celebrities stop endorsing this behavior, and we, as consumers, stop buying these products then this treatment of our fellow human beings will stop. Until then, we are all responsible for the consequences of our actions.

If Jewel doesn't make a statement to Tommy Hilfiger, Target, her fans, and the public, despite all of her good intentions, she will be labeled a hypocrite along with many other celebrities who appear to have 'sold out' to corporate companies. What a tragedy it would be for someone who is truly honest in spirit to be written off just when she was starting to accomplish so much.

Write to Jewel and tell her you want her to do the right thing. She can decide to:

¨ Make a public statement denouncing these companies who exploit fellow human beings for profit

¨ Stop her contracts with Tommy Hilfiger, Target, and any other big name corporate companies she may be negotiating with, especially those that are not environmentally and socially responsible

¨ Insist that any current or future contracts for products with her endorsement contain a code of conduct and/or behavior standards where the products are made in humane and respectable environments, where workers are paid a living wage for all hours they work, work for a reasonable number of hours per day, and are provided clean and sanitary living conditions

¨ Work only with companies that are endorsed by environmental and human rights organizations (can you imagine how many of these companies would love to have Jewel as their spokesperson?)

Jewel, if you ever read this, you remain an inspiration to so many people, and have given us so much from your soul. All your fans, whether we know you personally or not, truly relate to who you are and what you're doing. Because we know your good intentions, we are counting on the fact that this was an oversight, and support you making a public statement concerning this issue. We want you to do the right thing. Your fans will remain behind you 100%.

Send mail to Jewel at jewel@jeweljk.com

To see the full litigation background provided by Milberg, Weiss, Bershad, Hynes & Lerach LLP and other info about the Saipan lawsuits, go to www.milberg.com

To find info on environmental and socially responsible companies where you can buy your clothes, cleaning supplies, paper, and just about anything else, go to www.coopamerica.com and check out their 'green pages'. These companies have been screened to be both environment and human friendly.

Questions? Please e-mail me at 88gypsy@excite.com. Thank you for your support.

Morgan S. Carlisle