more slaves NOW than in any time in history

catefrances

did you know that? i sure didnt.

http://www.walkfree.org/en/actions/zerotolerance


http://www.sacbee.com/2012/12/16/505760 ... iness.html


Walk Free calls on Big Business to End Slavery Worldwide


By Walk Free
Published: Sunday, Dec. 16, 2012 - 2:10 am




YANGON, Myanmar, Dec. 16, 2012 -- YANGON, Myanmar, Dec. 16, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- Walk Free: The Movement to End Modern Slavery launched its global campaign, Putting Slavery out of Business, from Myanmar today.

Walk Free members globally will call on the world's major corporations to work together to end modern slavery by identifying, eradicating and preventing forced labour in their operations and supply chains.

"Business has always been a key driver of social change, shaping modern life through innovation and new technology. If Corporate Giants – 25 of the world's top businesses whose net worth make up US$5 trillion – prioritise the abolition of modern slavery as their next major innovation, we could quickly deal a major blow to the slavery industry in this generation," said Nick Grono, CEO of Walk Free.

"Forced labour does not exist in isolation, it encourages related abuses such as fraudulent recruitment. It is time for Corporate Giants to collectively address their responsibility to make modern slavery a priority for their global agenda."

Walk Free is asking the world's major companies to make a Zero Tolerance for Slavery Pledge by 31 March 2013. The campaign aims to set an example for every business; giving consumers the information they need to make informed choices and ending the nightmare of modern slavery for millions around the world.

Sir Richard Branson signed Walk Free's pledge and sent a message of support to the campaign launch in Myanmar saying, "I am delighted to be able to sign this pledge on behalf of all the Virgin group of companies and I would urge other businesses to do the same."

While many think of slavery as a relic of history, experts estimate that there are currently 20.9 million people living under threat of violence, abuse and harsh penalties[1]. Within this massive number, the majority of people -- more than 14.2 million -- are in a forced labour situation, used to source raw materials, and create products in sectors such as agriculture, construction, manufacturing and domestic work.

Some companies rely on goods that are sourced from countries where business accountability and government regulation are weak, and factors such as poverty, discrimination and conflict create opportunities for exploitation. Without consistent supply-chain monitoring, suppliers are exploiting the system -- and people -- to turn a profit.

The campaign Putting Slavery out of Business was launched in Yangon at an event led by Walk Free CEO Nick Grono, U.S. Ambassador-at-Large to Combat Trafficking In Persons Luis CdeBaca, Fortescue Metals Group founder and Chairman Andrew Forrest, UNICEF specialist on trafficking and migration, Dr Susu Thatun, and Free the Slaves founder Kevin Bales

Read more here: http://www.sacbee.com/2012/12/16/505760 ... rylink=cpy

dimitrispearljam

no i did not..thanks for posting Cate

catefrances

dimitrispearljam wrote:

no i did not..thanks for posting Cate

youre welcome. i also learned that the prawns i was planning on using for dinner twice this coming week will most likely be processed using slave labour in thailand.. therefore ive canned tonights feast and have now decided getting up at the crack of dawn in a couple of days and visiting the fish markets is the way to go. im sure fresh off the boat prawns caught in the pacific ocean just off sydney are the result of non slave labour.

brianlux

Yes, Derrick Jensen talks about modern slavery (among many other things) in A Language Older than Words- a very gut wrenching, heartbreaking, instructional, inspirational, motivating book. Highly recommended- if you're ready for it.

I read elsewhere a statistic regarding how many slaves the average person in a developed country unknowingly has. It's shocking. A good reason to limit ones purchase of new goods- or at least buy from local crafts people and farmers. Also, there are plenty of local goods or pre-owned slave products out there, especially here in the U.S.

Thanks for posting this Catefrances.

DS1119

Torn on this issue as an US citizen actually. We all call for cheap prices on consumer products but at the same time won't work for cheap labor rates or at jobs without health care, benefits, etc.

peacefrompaul

Something to think about before you bite into that Hershey's bar

http://www.johnrobbins.info/blog/is-the ... chocolate/

peacefrompaul

DS1119 wrote:

Torn on this issue as an US citizen actually. We all call for cheap prices on consumer products but at the same time won't work for cheap labor rates or at jobs without health care, benefits, etc.

Which means... jobs are shipped overseas

DS1119

peacefrompaul wrote:

DS1119 wrote:

Torn on this issue as an US citizen actually. We all call for cheap prices on consumer products but at the same time won't work for cheap labor rates or at jobs without health care, benefits, etc.

Which means... jobs are shipped overseas

Exactly. Which means their labor conditions are out of our control...that is unless we want to maintain political/military pressure on them or we can just not buy those products which then no one benefits from on any level.

Pap

End labour slavery now! Thanks for posting.

brianlux

DS1119 wrote:

Torn on this issue as an US citizen actually. We all call for cheap prices on consumer products but at the same time won't work for cheap labor rates or at jobs without health care, benefits, etc.

That really nails it. I think the answer is for us to insist on quality durable domestic products for which we are willing to pay more. AND, we could save money in the long run! A well made pair of pliers (Say, an SK or Armstrong product) will cost more than cheap ones made overseas but, if properly cared for, will last a lifetime and cost less in the long run. We pay more for good tools because the materials are better and the employees are paid more but what we get in return is a durable long lasting product.

DS1119

brianlux wrote:

DS1119 wrote:

Torn on this issue as an US citizen actually. We all call for cheap prices on consumer products but at the same time won't work for cheap labor rates or at jobs without health care, benefits, etc.

That really nails it. I think the answer is for us to insist on quality durable domestic products for which we are willing to pay more. AND, we could save money in the long run! A well made pair of pliers (Say, an SK or Armstrong product) will cost more than cheap ones made overseas but, if properly cared for, will last a lifetime and cost less in the long run. We pay more for good tools because the materials are better and the employees are paid more but what we get in return is a durable long lasting product.

I agree but then the task is to convince people to spend more for these products which is not always easy especially when the general perception in this country is impending economic doom. Me personally I will always spend more for quality within my means. I will also spend more for quality however even if that means I'm buying something produced overseas though. If all things are equal of course I would buy American.

Drowned Out

The way I see it....we need to stop villifying unions and see them as an important democratic institution. THere are likely another few dozen million people living in complete poverty while working voluntarily for corps that rake in billions and pay their board 8 figure bonuses.
If we're going to continue to push free trade and neoliberal policy, the working class should be strengthening unions, keeping leaders accountable, and demanding that they help organize in impoverished states we do business with, in order to both improve conditions, and to begin to level the labour field globally (which should eventually lead to a re-emergence of local industry). But people are so set against unions (or any other kind of collective action) that they are willing to side with the people taking advantage - the slave drivers....It's to the point that these corps are desperate enough to murder to prevent workers from organizing...coca cola, for example, has been accused repeatedly of offing union organizers, in multiple countries....
A grassroots awareness campaign to push corps to change their tune is a good start, but it sounds a bit like they're asking these companies to police themselves (encourage corps to sign a zero tolerance pledge??).....empowering (allowing?) workers to help dictate the terms of 'zero tolerance' is probably as important as getting the corps on board, if not more.