Group says uniforms come from sweatshops

CHICAGO, July 1 (UPI) -- Workers rights activists Tuesday urged U.S. police and fire departments to avoid buying uniforms from companies they contend use sweatshop labor.

SweatFree Communities said U.S. cities have a history of social awareness in purchasing and should be aware that routine uniform purchases can unwittingly enrich companies that use overseas garment factories that offer low pay and deplorable working conditions.

"We hope that this report is a wake-up call for all of us who do not want our tax dollars to support and encourage the most heinous conditions of work, conditions contrary to our values," SweatFree Communities said in the 56-page report.

The Chicago Sun-Times said Tuesday that the state of Illinois placed $80,000 in uniform orders with three companies the coalition identifies as linked to sweatshops in Honduras, Pakistan and China.

The newspaper said the purchases were apparently made despite a 2005 order from the governor's office, although state officials say they comply with all such directives and that the uniforms in question were made in the United States.