Which international labour rights charity should I donate to?

July 31, 2013 5:50 PM

I would like to donate money to an international labour rights group on an ongoing basis, but I'm having a hard time picking one. Charity Navigator has been of little help. I've looked at International Labor Rights Forum, Clean Clothes Campaign, No Sweat, and Fair Wear Foundation. Do you know if one of these groups is more effective or better-run than the others? Do you have suggestions for other groups I might consider? Charities I should stay away from?

I'm looking for a well-run charity that focuses on the garment industry (but that doesn't have to be their exclusive concern) and takes gender issues into consideration. For personal reasons, I'd prefer to stay away from faith-based charities. I'm in Canada, but I'm willing to donate to a group based outside of the country, even if it means I don't get a tax deduction.

posted by atropos to Work & Money (2 answers total)

Best answer: I don't know anything about the Fair Wear Foundation, but I am very familiar with the other three. I would suggest the International Labor Rights Forum- it is as longstanding organization, doing great work with partner groups around the world. Their board and advisory council includes many people I respect (I know a few of them a bit), who are absolutely the leaders in this kind of work. ILRF does a ton of stuff that you can read about on their website, but they were the leaders in bringing Kalpona Akter from the Bangladesh Center for Worker Solidarity, and Sumi Abedin a survivor of the Tazreen fire (prior to the Rana Plaza collapse) to tour the US.
posted by cushie at 6:56 PM on July 31, 2013

Seconding ILRF. They do great work.

Fair Wear Foundation looks like it's funded in part by member corporations, in case you hadn't noticed.
posted by ropeladder at 10:39 AM on August 1, 2013