Reebok gets thumbs up from anti-sweatshop group

[CShine]

NEW YORK (AP) --

An anti-sweatshop group gave Reebok International its stamp of approval after it verified that the shoe and apparel maker had implemented standards protecting workers at its footwear factories around the world.

The Fair Labor Association, a nonprofit group formed in 1999 to promote adherence to international labor standards and improve working conditions, accredited Reebok on Thursday for substantially complying with its requirements over a two-year period.

That checklist includes meeting standards banning child labor, forced labor, abuse and discrimination, and guaranteeing health and safety of workers and freedom of association and collective bargaining.

The Fair Labor Association, based in Washington, uses unannounced visits to members' factories to check if these standards are being met.

http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?file=/news/archive/2004/04/30/financial1545EDT0227.DTL