Abit, Apex-Brasil and CNI take part in mission to the United States

On December 4 and 5, Abit (Brazilian Textile and Apparel Industry Association) took part in a mission to Washington DC, in the United States, with the aim of removing Brazilian garments from the US Department of Labor (DoL) forced labor list. The group also included representatives from the Brazilian Trade and Investment Promotion Agency (Apex-Brasil), the National Confederation of Industry (Confederação Nacional da Indústria – CNI), the Brazilian Embassy in the United States and the Brazil Industries Coalition (BIC).

The Brazilian delegation met with strategic American organizations to report on initiatives developed by the country in relation to human rights and to talk about the concern with ensuring labor rights not only for Brazilian nationals, but also for Mercosur partners.  Abit gave a general presentation of the industry, its labor structure, the status of immigrants working in the segment in São Paulo and the initiatives to combat slave labor. “Everyone that we spoke with was positively surprised with the government actions and many said that they see the country as an example of action in the face of the problem,” said Renato Jardim, manager of the international and economy area at the Association.

The professionals met with the Director of the International Labour Organisation (ILO), Nancy Donaldson, and the woman in charge of the international labor section at the US Department of State (DoS), Sarah Morgan. They also met with Mark Walker and Lorissa Bounds, representatives for Rep. Matt Salmon, a member of the House Subcommittee on Health, Employment, Labor and Pensions; Rosemary Gutierrez, an advisor to Senator Tom Harkin, the Chairman of the Senate Committee on Health, Education, Labor and Pensions; Shad Murib, an advisor to Rep. Jared Polis, member of the House Education and Workforce Committee; and Daniel Mauer, the Legislative Director for Rep. George Miller, a member of the House Education and Workforce Committee.