Last week, the Labor Licensing Policy Committee, an advisory committee to Chancellor John Wiley, recommended that Wiley require all UW-Madison licensees to disclose the wages of their workers, according to an article in The Daily Cardinal. Although Wiley has not yet responded, he needs to immediately ask these liscensees for wage disclosure.
The recommendation comes at a time when the university may sign a contract with Nike to manufacture UW-Madison merchandise. Nike, undoubtedly, is a company of ill repute in regards to labor rights. One report from the Vietnam Labor Watch reported in 1997 that the approximate daily wage among Vietnamese Nike workers was between $1.60 and $2.10. These workers had to \make a daily choice between eating a balanced meal or paying rent for the single rooms that most of them rent out,"" according to the report. If UW unquestioningly accepts such practices, students become de facto supporters of an unfair system.
Ultimately, the integrity of the university is on the line. Although UW-Madison may need a large company to supply its merchandise needs, the chancellor can at least try to make sure that our hallmark red sweatshirts are not made by hungry and abused workers. Besides, why would Wiley have an advisory committee if he refuses to listen to them?
