Portal de Cartagena
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A group of teachers from the Universidad Politécnica de Cartagena (UPCT) and the University of Florida (USA) have started this month the 'Stars for workers' campaign, which, for three years, will ask each month through Of social networks to twelve celebrities, from the world of sport, fashion or entertainment, to donate most of their income through the sponsorship of textile brands to organizations that fight against labor exploitation and for the rights of workers of the Clothing and footwear industry.
"We ask them to be brave enough to react to the brutal contrast of an industry whose production chain begins with a multitude of rights violations and ends huge profits and contracts," explains Jose Antonio Martinez, a researcher in Sports Marketing.
"It would have a great exemplifying effect," adds Manuel Ruiz, who along with Irene Escuín and Yong Jae Ko also participates in the project.
The campaign, in English and focused on the international arena, has begun by directing awareness messages to athletes such as Rafael Nadal, Serena Williams, Kevin Durant, Messi or Neymar.
"We do not want to criminalize athletes, although many of them are being published unconvincing behavior," said the teachers, referring to the news about tax evasion of some of the best known footballers.
"We want to give a positive message, supporting modern slaves, by suggesting that celebrities donate 90% of their fixed income by sponsoring organizations that advise textile workers, report on their situation, pressure brands To improve their conditions and negotiate wage improvements and safety conditions, "he said.
The campaign also wants to encourage responsible consumption in front of the "fast fashion business, which consists of having the consumer continuously buying very low-cost products.
Behind these prices is labor exploitation, "says José Antonio Martínez, a professor at the Faculty of Business Sciences at the UPCT.
"The difference between the minimum wage and the living wage is abysmal in the textile industry of Southeast Asia, Central America or Africa.
The wages do not give to eat, despite the strenuous days and the miserable conditions of work ", argues Martínez, who estimates that a rise of 50% in the monthly salary of a worker would only increase in one euro the cost of a pledge with price Of sale of 40 euros.
"The competition between countries to offer the textile industry the lowest wages and the most advantageous conditions does not favor their development.
For example, the Nicaraguan State's income tax and social contributions for its 70,000 textile workers is less than what the Spanish Treasury receives from the IRPF and Social Security of Messi and Neymar, which are paid for by That Nike sponsors Barcelona and can increase the gross salary of those players.
All the benefits remain in rich countries, "says the teacher.
"We do not have to see it as a distant problem, because the trend is that these modes of production also come to Spain thanks to labor reforms," ​​warns the researcher, who points out that there are already cases of illegal textile workshops with miserable wages In our country.
Source: UPCT
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