Sign up to worker rights consortium: say sports representatives

Dear vice chancellor,

I’m writing as vice president of sport at the guild of students and on behalf of the universities sports teams. I think the University of Birmingham has an excellent track record of supporting high ethical standards and in promoting equality.

Thousands of women worldwide are forced or pressured to take contraceptives by there employees or made to take pregnancy tests on applying for work. They are also often paid less in wages and benefits given less opportunity.

I am proud to say sport over the last century has had a role in breaking down symbols of masculine power and prestige while being a talisman and role model for women’s liberation and the egalitarian process. This a proud history that Birmingham’s sportsmen and women would like to see carried on at Birmingham.

Signing up to the workers rights consortium would guarantee that the women producing our sports team clothes will; Receive equal remuneration, including benefits, equal treatment, equal evaluation of the quality of their work, and equal opportunity to fill all positions as male workers, Pregnancy tests will not be a condition of employment, nor will they be demanded of employees, Workers who take maternity leave will not face dismissal nor threat of dismissal, loss of seniority or deduction of wages, and will be able to return to their former employment at the same rate of pay and benefits, Workers will not be forced or pressured to use contraception, Workers will not be exposed to hazards, including glues and solvents, that may endanger their safety, including their reproductive health, Licensees shall provide appropriate services and accommodation to women workers in connection with pregnancy.
Additionally sport has another proud history of fighting racism for example the South African Non-Racial Olympic Committee (SAN-ROC) which was formed in 1963 and operated all the way through the aparthied regimes time in power, it was a beacon of hope, equality and change for many. The impact of Olympic boycott of all South African sports bodies that practiced apartheid should also not be underestimated. Signing up to the workers rights consortium would protect workers who make our sports apparel from racism and discriminatory practices.
I have been talking, with the other officers in the guild, to Will Hemming from Kukri who is our major supplier say Kukri is very happy to be monitored and would welcome the Workers rights consortium into its factories in china. Please do everything in your power to sign the University of Birmingham up to the workers rights consortium swiftly.

Sincerely

Katie Ford Vice president of Sport