Capitol Games: The Last Word On Soccer Balls & Child Labor

Three years ago, a CBS news magazine came to Super Show to do a show on soccer balls. Major ball manufacturers proudly showed off their wares. Only later did those same manufacturers realize that they were being set up as "bad guys" in the geo-politics of labor rights. The segment that ran on national television later that spring excoriated the soccer industry for its alleged exploitation of child labor. It focused on the Sialkot region of Pakistan, where more than two-thirds of the world's soccer balls are produced. This marked the beginning of an aggressive campaign against the industry to change the way it monitors production practices worldwide.
A nationwide media blitz followed, self-described as the "Foul Ball" campaign. The U.S. Secretary of Labor, Senators and Congressmen railed against industry practices. Though many of the charges were based on patently erroneous information, ball makers were threatened with an irreparable black eye.
Today, the soccer industry has turned the corner. Instead of being poster children for alleged improprieties, soccer companies can proudly point to a unique and far-reaching program to eliminate child labor in an industry.
After more than a year of study and outreach, global soccer brands and their Pakistani contractors have put into place a program that guarantees children are not involved in stitching. Independent monitors conduct unannounced inspections to soccer stitching centers to verify the ages of every single worker.
Perhaps more importantly, the program brings in other organizations to ensure that children who previously were employed will be provided opportunities to go to school.
Globally recognized child welfare groups like UNICEF and Save the Children now work hand in hand with the industry in Pakistan to provide schools, teachers and books to kids.
The industry's leadership is highlighted by a quick look at how funding has flowed. A year ago at the program's inception, the industry announced a $500,000 contribution from the U.S. Department of Labor along with $250,000 from the Pakistani industry and $100,000 from Soccer Industry Council of America. Today, that number has more than doubled, with committed funds to support the program passing $2 million.
One of the more innovative elements of the program is the provision of "micro-credits" to villages where soccer stitchers live. Loans of $100-750 are offered to allow families to replace lost income.
The "Partnership to End Child Labor" now allows the soccer industry to speak proudly of its efforts to address this problem.
The program's innovations are being recognized. This past June, the industry program was awarded a prestigious Corporate Conscience Award by the Council on Economic Priorities in New York. Even the industry's harshest critics-organizers of the Foul Ball campaign-acknowledge that significant progress is being made. The program is looking to increase consumer awareness with a toll-free phone line and website.
Industry veteran Tom Cove, the SGMA's vice president of government relations, authors Capitol Games.