Clean Clothes Campaign

Abstract

Abstract Established in 1989, the Clean Clothes Campaign (CCC) describes itself as “an alliance of organizations in 12 European countries to support garment workers in their efforts to create substantive, sustainable improvements in working conditions” (Clean Clothes Campaign 2009). The CCC is the premier anti‐sweatshop consumer‐oriented group in the “global North,” that is, the high‐income countries. Each national campaign is autonomous and decisions are taken by consensus, but the “international secretariat” in Amsterdam coordinates much of the international work. The CCC is notable for high‐quality research, persistence, focus on high‐profile sporting events (e.g., Olympics, World Cup football) and its ability to mobilize European activists around letter‐writing and petitions and “e‐activist” campaigns for “urgent appeals” on particular struggles. The CCC's work is targeted almost exclusively at Asian exporters – perhaps because most garments in Europe arrive from Asia. They also work with labor organizations in Africa, Eastern Europe and Turkey.