Bundled up against the cold, students sewed clothes on the concourse from 12pm to 2pm to draw attention to their campaign.
Society members asked people to take part in their petition against sweatshop conditions by recording an mp3 file stating their support.
Speak groups across the country hope to record 24 hours of sound to present as an audio petition to the UK government and the European Commission.
The Sheffield group aimed to record an hour of speech over the two days. The audio petition was chosen as they are felt to get more notice than a traditional petition.
Speak does not want to deprive sweatshop workers of their jobs, but campaigns to improve their pay and working conditions.
Mikey Sandford, a third year Biblical Studies student and co-president of the University’s Speak Society, said: "Companies should have a responsibility for human rights and working environments.
"Companies won’t do it without laws – they will go on making a profit regardless."
His co-president Katie Wellbrook, a second year English Literature student, said: "People seem positive about the campaign. It’s an issue most people can relate to."
The UK-based Speak is part of the Trade Justice Movement, which is made up by around 50 groups campaigning for corporate responsibility.
"We wanted to show what working in a sweatshop really means – doing something very tedious in horrendous conditions for hours on end for very little pay," Wellbrook added.
NoSweat, another campaign group, will have two ex-sweatshop workers speaking at their event ‘We Make Your Clothes’ at 7pm on December 8, in the Octagon Centre Meeting Room Two.
Natalie Bowen
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