Gildan Reinstated as Participating Company in Fair Labor Association

Gildan Reinstated as Participating Company in Fair Labor
Association 


MONTREAL, Dec. 13  /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Gildan Activewear Inc. (NYSE: GIL;
TSX: GIL.A) today announced that it had been reinstated by the Fair Labor
Association (FLA) as a Participating Company in good standing. The resolution,
approved unanimously by the Board of the FLA, has been posted on its web site
at http://www.fairlabor.org/all/news/gildan-rescind.html . This decision
reflects Gildan's commitment to fully comply with the FLA Workplace Code of
Conduct and its actions to meet the six conditions for reinstatement set out by
the FLA Board in its October 26, 2004 resolution.

"In addition to achieving our financial goals which we have set for our
shareholders, we are equally committed to being a leader in corporate
citizenship," stated Glenn J. Chamandy, President and Chief Executive Officer.
"Gildan is committed to having modern, well-equipped facilities in all its
manufacturing hubs and to being progressive in its hiring and employment
practices. While there is always opportunity for further improvement, we are
proud of the way we manage our facilities and contribute to local communities.
By following best practices and regularly monitoring the compliance of our
plants with the Gildan and FLA codes of conduct, our goal is to achieve the
same type of recognition of our performance in corporate social responsibility
that we have gained for our operating and financial success".

Gildan added that, as part of its normal annual incremental expansion of sewing
capacity included in its projected fiscal 2005 capital investment program, it
intended to start a new sewing plant in Honduras configured for efficient
production of basic t-shirts. In hiring for this plant, the Company will
attempt in good faith and where practical to preferentially reintegrate workers
from its El Progreso sewing facility which was closed in September 2004 for
economic reasons. Re-hiring of El Progreso workers will be subject to the
Company's normal hiring and employment practices.

Profile

Gildan Activewear is a vertically-integrated manufacturer and marketer of
premium quality branded basic activewear for sale principally in the wholesale
imprinted activewear segment of the Canadian, U.S., European and other
international markets. The Company manufactures and sells premium quality 100%
cotton and 50% cotton/50% polyester T-shirts, placket collar sport shirts and
sweatshirts in a variety of weights, sizes, colours and styles. The Company
sells its products as blanks, which are ultimately decorated with designs and
logos for sale to consumers. Gildan employs more than 7,400 full-time
employees. 

DATASOURCE: GILDAN ACTIVEWEAR INC.



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