Firestone Union Recognized For Efforts to End Child Labor

The US Department of Labor has honored the Firestone Agricultural Workers Union of Liberia (FAWUL) with the Iqbal Masih Award in recognition of the labor union's efforts to stop child labor at the Firestone rubber plantation in Liberia.  The award, named for a Pakistani carpet factory worker who spoke out against child labor, was presented to FAWUL on February 16, 2011 by U.S. Ambassador Linda Thomas-Greenfield.

The Liberian rubber plantation, which produces rubber for Bridgestone and Firestone tires, came under attack by the International Labor Rights Forum for child labor violations and unfair worker conditions.  Accusations included unreasonable work loads, archaic transportation methods, sub-standard housing and disregard for pesticide safety procedures.  Firestone agreed to negotiations with FAWUL in 2008 and further negotiations were held in 2010, with a bargaining agreement signed by both parties in July 2010.  FAWUL was nominated for the Iqbal Masih Award by the International Labor Rights Forum.

Firestone's History of Child Labor
Firestone did not employ children, but it was common practice for the workers living on the Firestone plantation to bring their children to work with them to ease the heavy workload.  Because of the negotiations with FAWUL, Firestone has reduced the workload on rubber workers and limited work days to eight to ten hours.  Company policy says Firestone will not hire anyone under the age of 18, and any employee who brings their child to help with their work now risks losing their job.  A school system consisting of 26 schools on the Firestone plantation helps to educate the children of Firestone workers at no cost.  Some of Firestone's child labor policies have been on the books for years, but the company has been lax about enforcing them.  The Firestone Union's receipt of the Iqbal Masih Award indicates that FAWUL has indeed made strides in renegotiating these policies and their enforcement with Firestone.

A Word of Caution to Consumers
International Labor Rights Forum has been actively supporting FAWUL's efforts by educating consumers through the "Stop Firestone" campaign.  Though it appears Firestone has made huge steps toward supporting their workers and ending child labor on the Firestone rubber plantation, conscious consumers may wish to watch the International Labor Rights Forum for any updates about Firestone worker conditions before wholeheartedly embracing Firestone products.  The agreements reached between Firestone and FAWUL are still new and time is needed to see if Firestone will live up to its side of the bargain.

Photo Credit:  stevendepolo