Glastonbury's Michael Eavis backs 'sweat-free' Olympics Published duration 27 July 2011

image caption Michael Eavis presents £71,000 raised at the Glastonbury Festival to charity, War on Want

Glastonbury Festival founder Michael Eavis has joined a campaign supporting the rights of workers manufacturing merchandise for the 2012 Olympic Games.

Mr Eavis has presented £71,000 to the anti-poverty charity War on Want.

It will be used to support a campaign against the exploitation of 'sweat shop' workers from countries such as China, Sri Lanka and Bangladesh.

Mr Eavis said: "The only sweat we want to see at the 2012 London Olympics should come from the athletes."

He added: "The abuse of workers in sweat shops runs totally counter to the Olympic ideal of fairness, and no companies found guilty of such abuse should be part of the games."

The donation comes from money raised at the 2011 Glastonbury Festival by Workers Beer Company, which is owned by Battersea and Wandsworth Trades Union Council.

"It is important that the merchandise to be used at the Olympics in London is sourced from ethical suppliers," said Spencer Barnshaw, secretary of Battersea and Wandsworth TUC.

War on Want executive director John Hilary said: "We are thrilled that Michael Eavis has thrown the weight of the Glastonbury Festival behind the campaign for a sweat-free Games.