GOOD-GUYS UPDATE Real rules for sweatfree BY SARA DONNELLY

Following a frank pow-wow about what’s wrong with the state’s "sweatfree" purchasing rules in September, the Division of Purchases recently released a second draft of the regulations, which keeps vendors who treat employees badly away from some state contracts (see "Ironing Out Sweatshop Rules," Sept 2). Known officially as "Maine’s State Purchasing Code of Conduct Requiring that Vendors Furnishing Apparel, Footwear, or Textiles to the State Provide Healthy, Safe, and Fair Working Conditions" — say that three times fast — the sweatfree rules essentially prohibit the state from purchasing uniforms and some other supplies from sweatshops. In 2001, when the legislation for the rules was passed, Maine was the first state in the country to adopt sweatfree rules.

But, thanks to an administration glitch in 2003, these groundbreaking rules have not been finalized until now. Which is why the DivP is producing drafts like a freshman in a Comp 101 class.

According to Bjorn Claeson, National Coordinator of SweatFree Communities, in Bangor, and an international workers’ rights advocate, the new version of the rules has improved since last month’s public hearing.

"They have made some real substantial and positive changes," Claeson says. "They have made it a lot easier for workers’ rights violations to come to their attention."

True, the DivP responded to requests from Claeson and others to relax verification requirements for people who have a beef with one of Maine’s vendors. But Claeson also hopes the department will hire an independent monitor to handle potential rights violations. A monitor was not added to draft two.

According to Betty Lamoreau, Director of the DivP, legislation will be introduced in the upcoming session to study the pros and cons of an outside monitor, including how much the position would cost the state. The sweatfree rules currently do not generate quantifiable extra costs for the state.

The DivP is accepting comments on the second draft by mail or email (bettymlamoreau@maine.gov) until 5 pm on October 31.