(April 11 – 10:10 ET) – Ethical Funds Inc. is supporting the development of the Verité Labour Centre in China to provide 600 factory workers with vocational and life skills, as well as labour rights training.

Verité is a leading independent monitor and auditor of workplace standards. The non-profit organization was launched in 1995 to meet growing concern about human rights in global subcontracting. This year’s factory-based worker training program will provide workers with a wide range of skills, from basic literacy and math to education on legal rights under Chinese labour law.

Last year Ethical Funds helped sponsor Verité’s Third Annual Supplier’s Conference on workplace standards compliance in China. Verité’s supplier conferences help factory managers establish workplace conditions that meet international labour rights standards and eliminate sweatshops in China. Ethical Funds says it regards these initiatives as complementary to its ongoing shareholder campaigns with Sears Canada and Wal-Mart.

“When it comes to proactively addressing labour rights in developing countries, Ethical Funds is working at both ends of the supply chain,” said Robert Walker, vice president SRI policy and research at Ethical Funds. “At this end, we’re addressing sweatshop issues by engaging in dialogue with North American retailers who source products from developing countries. We want the companies we hold in our portfolios to address the issue of workers’ rights and to bring supplier factories into compliance with international labour standards. We’re also working at the other end of the supply chain by supporting Verité’s work in China.”

The Verité Labour Centre will serve migrant factory workers in the Pearl River Delta. Verité’s curriculum will be developed and delivered in partnership with local educators. The Centre will help participants manage their factory careers better and maximize their capabilities when they return home.