Chinese slaves

RushlimboRushlimbo Posts: 832
edited June 2007 in A Moving Train
Keep buying those cheap Walmart goods, China is our friend and trading partner.
Chinese fathers of child slaves seek help online
Wed Jun 13, 5:51 AM ET

About 400 Chinese men whose children were sold to work as slaves at brickworks were seeking help online after risking their lives and spending all their savings in a mostly futile search, media reported on Wednesday.

At least 1,000 children, with the youngest 8, were kidnapped near train or bus stations in the central province of Henan and had been sold to work in northwestern Shanxi, the official People's Daily said on its Web site (http://www.people.com.cn).

The fathers from Henan, who "spent all the money they had and risked their lives to go deep into the mountains looking for their children," had already rescued about 40, the report said.

"We were shocked by what we saw," it quoted the fathers as saying in a petition letter.

"Some children had been isolated from the outside world for seven years, and some were beaten and maimed because they tried to escape, and the backs of some were burnt by supervisors with burning red bricks," the letter was quoted as saying.

"They worked 14 hours a day, but had little to eat ... Being beaten up was common," it said, adding that some children were buried alive when their injuries got worse.

To save the children guarded by "thugs" and supervisors was not easy and local police "not only did not help, but even prevented" them from freeing the children, the fathers were quoted as saying.

Since the online campaign was launched, police from Henan had urged their counterparts in Shanxi to help with the rescue.

Last week, state media reported the rescue of 31 people, forced to work for a year as slaves at a brickworks run by the son of a local Communist Party official in the same province.

Among them, eight were so traumatized by the experience that they were only able to remember their names, and one laborer was beaten to death with a hammer for not working hard enough.

http://news.yahoo.com/s/nm/china_slaves_dc;_ylt=AmQXvX8n.A3phyBY308vo0YDW7oF
War is Peace
Freedom is Slavery
Ignorance is Strength
Post edited by Unknown User on

Comments

  • jlew24asujlew24asu Posts: 10,118
    so you blame walmart or china ?
  • RushlimboRushlimbo Posts: 832
    jlew24asu wrote:
    so you blame walmart or china ?

    Both. They are both part of the cycle to produce and sell goods ever more cheaply no matter what the cost to humans and the environment.
    War is Peace
    Freedom is Slavery
    Ignorance is Strength
  • jlew24asujlew24asu Posts: 10,118
    Rushlimbo wrote:
    Both. They are both part of the cycle to produce and sell goods ever more cheaply no matter what the cost to humans and the environment.
    its sad isnt it? human slavery is worse today then it has even been. I also have read the US government is leading the worldwide fight against it.
  • RushlimboRushlimbo Posts: 832
    jlew24asu wrote:
    its sad isnt it? human slavery is worse today then it has even been. I also have read the US government is leading the worldwide fight against it.

    Yes, it is hard to believe the cruelty that humans can possess. I truly cannot understand how someone can do this to another human/animal. The U.S. has been pushing this issue with regards to slavery and sexual slavery.
    War is Peace
    Freedom is Slavery
    Ignorance is Strength
  • jlew24asujlew24asu Posts: 10,118
    Rushlimbo wrote:
    Yes, it is hard to believe the cruelty that humans can possess. I truly cannot understand how someone can do this to another human/animal. The U.S. has been pushing this issue with regards to slavery and sexual slavery.
    be careful limbo, we might be agreeing again
  • RushlimboRushlimbo Posts: 832
    jlew24asu wrote:
    be careful limbo, we might be agreeing again

    We will refer to this day as "Black Wednesday" from here on.
    War is Peace
    Freedom is Slavery
    Ignorance is Strength
  • MilestoneMilestone Posts: 1,140
    I thought that Wal-Mart always bragged about only selling products that were "Made in the USA".
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  • jlew24asujlew24asu Posts: 10,118
    Milestone wrote:
    I thought that Wal-Mart always bragged about only selling products that were "Made in the USA".
    everything is made in china. no way around it
  • polarispolaris Posts: 3,527
    Fair Trade

    all it takes are corporations with a conscience ... but apparently that is an oxymoron ...
  • surferdudesurferdude Posts: 2,057
    polaris wrote:
    Fair Trade

    all it takes are corporations with a conscience ... but apparently that is an oxymoron ...
    Fair Trade

    all it takes are consumers with a conscience ... but apparently that is an oxymoron ....

    Consumers have all the power. Every purchase made at Wal-Mart tells the world you don't care about Human Rights, or at the very least care more about saving money than Human Rights. You purchase reflect what you care about.
    “One good thing about music,
    when it hits you, you feel to pain.
    So brutalize me with music.”
    ~ Bob Marley
  • buttersbutters Posts: 63
    One should take a close look at the goings ons in Guam. Both bonded labour and sexual slavery goes on there too, and that is a US protectorate. Chinese people have chosen to go work there because they think they wouldn't be treated poorly on US soil, and they fall into the same traps. And the goods made there can legally say 'made in the USA' on them.
  • jlew24asujlew24asu Posts: 10,118
    butters wrote:
    One should take a close look at the goings ons in Guam. Both bonded labour and sexual slavery goes on there too, and that is a US protectorate. Chinese people have chosen to go work there because they think they wouldn't be treated poorly on US soil, and they fall into the same traps. And the goods made there can legally say 'made in the USA' on them.

    um, how the hell do you know what goes on at guam ?
  • jlew24asujlew24asu Posts: 10,118
    butters wrote:

    o butterball. i'm not hostile. stick around, you'll see. :D

    thanks for the info.
  • surferdude wrote:
    Fair Trade

    all it takes are consumers with a conscience ... but apparently that is an oxymoron ....

    Consumers have all the power. Every purchase made at Wal-Mart tells the world you don't care about Human Rights, or at the very least care more about saving money than Human Rights. You purchase reflect what you care about.

    I think the majority of people do care about human rights. Does that stop these products from flying off the shelf....not in the least. So where is the problem coming in? 1.) People aren't aware of the labor practices being used to manufacture these products. 2.) People don't have the time or won't make the time to reseach these things 3.) People that do know about these things still have a harder time finding alternate products and stores that are readily available to them. 4.) People often have a harder time being able to afford the alternatives

    So while people are not doing anything to stop this....these workers pay the price. Theories are all nice and fine but if no change is coming then you have to consider that your theory just isn't working.
    If you want to tell people the truth, make them laugh, otherwise they'll kill you.

    Man is least himself when he talks in his own person. Give him a mask, and he will tell you the truth.
    -Oscar Wilde
  • surferdudesurferdude Posts: 2,057
    So while people are not doing anything to stop this....these workers pay the price. Theories are all nice and fine but if no change is coming then you have to consider that your theory just isn't working.
    Consumers having the power is not a theory it's reality. Consumers also generally decline to assume their responsibility and use their power ethically, again not a theory but reality.

    I just find it weird that so many people want corporations (whose mandate is to make money) to make the changes that they themselves are unwilling to make of their own free will. Ignorance, greed and laziness are just excuses to keep doing what you're doing.
    “One good thing about music,
    when it hits you, you feel to pain.
    So brutalize me with music.”
    ~ Bob Marley
  • jlew24asujlew24asu Posts: 10,118
    surferdude wrote:
    Consumers having the power is not a theory it's reality. Consumers also generally decline to assume their responsibility and use their power ethically, again not a theory but reality.

    I just find it weird that so many people want corporations (whose mandate is to make money) to make the changes that they themselves are unwilling to make of their own free will. Ignorance, greed and laziness are just excuses to keep doing what you're doing.

    I agree with this. but did you just say free will? o boy here we go :D
  • even flow?even flow? Posts: 8,066
    No union! Kids making the goods! And I'm still paying $200 for my Nikes! How dare they!

    2 cents labour and some bulk shipping charges. Somebody is making a huge buck on the back of a child.
    You've changed your place in this world!
  • surferdude wrote:
    Consumers having the power is not a theory it's reality. Consumers also generally decline to assume their responsibility and use their power ethically, again not a theory but reality.

    I just find it weird that so many people want corporations (whose mandate is to make money) to make the changes that they themselves are unwilling to make of their own free will. Ignorance, greed and laziness are just excuses to keep doing what you're doing.


    Theory comes in where you think consumers are going to make a change. They haven't been. Reality. I'd like to see some actually change...some progress...not just the same old line about how it's on the consumers... it's on both.

    Greed and laziness are also traits of these corporations who just wanna make a quick buck and don't worry about the means of doing so. A consumer is someone who buys stuff, corporation are the ones that provide the stuff....both have a responsibilty to do what's right. The consumer often doesn't doesn't know, firsthand, about these labor practices (ignorance) so they're not thinking about these workers when they buy these products. On the other hand, corporations know very well what they are doing and don't care....they can't claim ignorance, they have to claim greed, selfishness and inhumane treatment. I'd rather be ignorant than purposely inhumane any day. True enough, consumers have choices but let's not pretend these corporations don't have them, as well.
    If you want to tell people the truth, make them laugh, otherwise they'll kill you.

    Man is least himself when he talks in his own person. Give him a mask, and he will tell you the truth.
    -Oscar Wilde
  • jlew24asu wrote:
    I agree with this. but did you just say free will? o boy here we go :D


    If consumers weren't demanding white rhino horns then they'd still be here...works out well, doesn't it?
    If you want to tell people the truth, make them laugh, otherwise they'll kill you.

    Man is least himself when he talks in his own person. Give him a mask, and he will tell you the truth.
    -Oscar Wilde
  • puremagicpuremagic Posts: 1,907
    I think the majority of people do care about human rights. Does that stop these products from flying off the shelf....not in the least. So where is the problem coming in? 1.) People aren't aware of the labor practices being used to manufacture these products. 2.) People don't have the time or won't make the time to reseach these things 3.) People that do know about these things still have a harder time finding alternate products and stores that are readily available to them. 4.) People often have a harder time being able to afford the alternatives

    So while people are not doing anything to stop this....these workers pay the price. Theories are all nice and fine but if no change is coming then you have to consider that your theory just isn't working.


    <>http://veganpeace.com/sweatshops/responsible_shopping.htm
    (If the labels don't post, go to this link to see).

    Responsible Shopping
    Companies that don't use sweatshop labor

    It is very difficult to find out exactly which companies do and which don't use sweatshop labor. Most manufacturers and retailers control what type of information regarding their labor is made public. They keep a lot of information hidden from consumers and anti-sweatshop organizations. Manufacturers also frequently relocate production to find cheaper prices for labor and materials.

    The following information can help in locating products that have not been produced in sweatshops, and that help support responsible businesses.
    Good Companies

    Support companies that have put in the effort to provide sweatshop-free products. Click here to find a list of some good companies. You can also find responsible companies by checking out Co-op America's online Green Pages.
    Companies to Avoid

    One way to find out which companies should be avoided is by looking at the current actions of the various anti-sweatshop organizations. Find out about these actions by checking out the links on my What Can We Do page. Co-op America's Responsible Shopper and Retailer Scorecard can also help you choose where to shop and which companies to avoid.


    Made in the USA?
    A "Made in the USA" label does not guarantee that workers behind the label were paid at least minimum wage in decent conditions.

    In the U.S. sweatshops conditions exist in low wage industries that employ immigrants, like the garment industry. The U.S. Department of Labor found that 67% of garment factories in Los Angeles and 63% in New York, violate minimum wage and overtime laws. 98% of garment factories in Los Angeles have workplace health and safety problems serious enough to lead to severe injuries or death.

    Another problem is that factories in U.S. territories, such as Guam, Samoa and Saipan are allowed to use the "Made in the USA" label despite the fact that their status as territories exempts them from U.S. labor laws.

    FTF Members
    FTF retail stores are members of the Fair Trade Federation. They carry primarily fairly traded items, either bought directly from producer groups or from fair trade wholesalers. When you buy products at an FTF retail store, a significant percentage of the money you pay will to directly to the artisans.
    Please click here for a listing of FTF retail stores.

    Organic Products
    Buy organic products. Especially make sure bananas, chocolate and coffee are organically produced.

    Union Made Products
    Union made products are products that are produced in America by Union members, which means that they are produced by skilled workers who are treated fairly and decently by their employers. The Union Label and Service Trades Department has a search program to help you find Union made products. You can also find Union made products by looking on the Buy Union page of UNITE HERE!
    Labels

    The following labels help you to find products that have not been produced in sweatshops.

    TransFair USA's "Fair Trade Certified®'" Label
    Transfair USA, a nonprofit organization, uses this label to certify coffee and tea producers - and soon, producers of bananas, chocolate, and other goods - who follow Fair Trade guidelines.

    RUGMARK® Label
    Many of the world's enslaved child laborers work weaving rugs. To be sure your carpet purchase doesn't fund these practices, buy one that bears the RUGMARK® label.

    ECO-OK® and Better Banana TM
    The Eco-OK label identifies cocoa, coffee, orange juice, oranges, and bananas that have been grown in a socially and environmentally responsible manner. The Rainforest Alliance - together with several Latin American conservation groups - works with companies to help them implement these guidelines.

    Shopping also is based on a consumer's budget, so while the buyer's may or may not know the product is produced by sweatship standards I don't believe they should be made to feel guilty for something that is out of their control. This is a billion dollar industry, the consumer is not going to change the practice. The practice will just get better laws protecting it as a business.

    These people know what's going on and profit from the misery of slave labor and in many cases our tax dollars help them. It's not just the GOP, but damn they have fine tuned corruption into a masterpiece of artwork. Unfortunately, they're pompous and arrogrant and have to let people know what they are capable of achieving.

    http://www.dailykos.com/story/2006/1/20/231845/839

    an interesting read when you have time about the Chinese sweatshop connection with GOP/Bush/Abramoff and the Tan Family and, of course your tax dollars at work. If you follow the Abramoff and the Tan family saga through other sources, you'll see need for the removal of those U.S. prosecutors.
    SIN EATERS--We take the moral excrement we find in this equation and we bury it down deep inside of us so that the rest of our case can stay pure. That is the job. We are morally indefensible and absolutely necessary.
  • surferdudesurferdude Posts: 2,057
    Theory comes in where you think consumers are going to make a change. They haven't been. Reality. I'd like to see some actually change...some progress...not just the same old line about how it's on the consumers... it's on both.

    Greed and laziness are also traits of these corporations who just wanna make a quick buck and don't worry about the means of doing so. A consumer is someone who buys stuff, corporation are the ones that provide the stuff....both have a responsibilty to do what's right. The consumer often doesn't doesn't know, firsthand, about these labor practices (ignorance) so they're not thinking about these workers when they buy these products. On the other hand, corporations know very well what they are doing and don't care....they can't claim ignorance, they have to claim greed, selfishness and inhumane treatment. I'd rather be ignorant than purposely inhumane any day. True enough, consumers have choices but let's not pretend these corporations don't have them, as well.
    The key difference is that orporations have a 100% duty to earn money. People are not bound by law to live this way. Ethically corporations only need to follow the law. I'm all for coming down on corporations where they do not follow the law but not when the law is followed and the law does not mesh with my ethics. They're not morals and ethics if I let ignorance, greed or laziness be used as excuses for not following my morals and ethics. Corporations are not the problem, as corporations are just made up of people.
    “One good thing about music,
    when it hits you, you feel to pain.
    So brutalize me with music.”
    ~ Bob Marley
  • surferdude wrote:
    The key difference is that orporations have a 100% duty to earn money. People are not bound by law to live this way. Ethically corporations only need to follow the law. I'm all for coming down on corporations where they do not follow the law but not when the law is followed and the law does not mesh with my ethics. They're not morals and ethics if I let ignorance, greed or laziness be used as excuses for not following my morals and ethics. Corporations are not the problem, as corporations are just made up of people.

    Corporations are made of people! Exactly! And as people of the human race, they have more than just the responsibility of making money. Everyone has to make money but it's very important how you choose to conduct yourself while earning it.
    If you want to tell people the truth, make them laugh, otherwise they'll kill you.

    Man is least himself when he talks in his own person. Give him a mask, and he will tell you the truth.
    -Oscar Wilde
  • puremagic wrote:
    <>http://veganpeace.com/sweatshops/responsible_shopping.htm
    (If the labels don't post, go to this link to see).

    Responsible Shopping
    Companies that don't use sweatshop labor

    It is very difficult to find out exactly which companies do and which don't use sweatshop labor. Most manufacturers and retailers control what type of information regarding their labor is made public. They keep a lot of information hidden from consumers and anti-sweatshop organizations. Manufacturers also frequently relocate production to find cheaper prices for labor and materials.

    The following information can help in locating products that have not been produced in sweatshops, and that help support responsible businesses.
    Good Companies

    Support companies that have put in the effort to provide sweatshop-free products. Click here to find a list of some good companies. You can also find responsible companies by checking out Co-op America's online Green Pages.
    Companies to Avoid

    One way to find out which companies should be avoided is by looking at the current actions of the various anti-sweatshop organizations. Find out about these actions by checking out the links on my What Can We Do page. Co-op America's Responsible Shopper and Retailer Scorecard can also help you choose where to shop and which companies to avoid.


    Made in the USA?
    A "Made in the USA" label does not guarantee that workers behind the label were paid at least minimum wage in decent conditions.

    In the U.S. sweatshops conditions exist in low wage industries that employ immigrants, like the garment industry. The U.S. Department of Labor found that 67% of garment factories in Los Angeles and 63% in New York, violate minimum wage and overtime laws. 98% of garment factories in Los Angeles have workplace health and safety problems serious enough to lead to severe injuries or death.

    Another problem is that factories in U.S. territories, such as Guam, Samoa and Saipan are allowed to use the "Made in the USA" label despite the fact that their status as territories exempts them from U.S. labor laws.

    FTF Members
    FTF retail stores are members of the Fair Trade Federation. They carry primarily fairly traded items, either bought directly from producer groups or from fair trade wholesalers. When you buy products at an FTF retail store, a significant percentage of the money you pay will to directly to the artisans.
    Please click here for a listing of FTF retail stores.

    Organic Products
    Buy organic products. Especially make sure bananas, chocolate and coffee are organically produced.

    Union Made Products
    Union made products are products that are produced in America by Union members, which means that they are produced by skilled workers who are treated fairly and decently by their employers. The Union Label and Service Trades Department has a search program to help you find Union made products. You can also find Union made products by looking on the Buy Union page of UNITE HERE!
    Labels

    The following labels help you to find products that have not been produced in sweatshops.

    TransFair USA's "Fair Trade Certified®'" Label
    Transfair USA, a nonprofit organization, uses this label to certify coffee and tea producers - and soon, producers of bananas, chocolate, and other goods - who follow Fair Trade guidelines.

    RUGMARK® Label
    Many of the world's enslaved child laborers work weaving rugs. To be sure your carpet purchase doesn't fund these practices, buy one that bears the RUGMARK® label.

    ECO-OK® and Better Banana TM
    The Eco-OK label identifies cocoa, coffee, orange juice, oranges, and bananas that have been grown in a socially and environmentally responsible manner. The Rainforest Alliance - together with several Latin American conservation groups - works with companies to help them implement these guidelines.

    Shopping also is based on a consumer's budget, so while the buyer's may or may not know the product is produced by sweatship standards I don't believe they should be made to feel guilty for something that is out of their control. This is a billion dollar industry, the consumer is not going to change the practice. The practice will just get better laws protecting it as a business.

    These people know what's going on and profit from the misery of slave labor and in many cases our tax dollars help them. It's not just the GOP, but damn they have fine tuned corruption into a masterpiece of artwork. Unfortunately, they're pompous and arrogrant and have to let people know what they are capable of achieving.

    http://www.dailykos.com/story/2006/1/20/231845/839

    an interesting read when you have time about the Chinese sweatshop connection with GOP/Bush/Abramoff and the Tan Family and, of course your tax dollars at work. If you follow the Abramoff and the Tan family saga through other sources, you'll see need for the removal of those U.S. prosecutors.

    Thanks for all the info. :)
    If you want to tell people the truth, make them laugh, otherwise they'll kill you.

    Man is least himself when he talks in his own person. Give him a mask, and he will tell you the truth.
    -Oscar Wilde
  • RainDogRainDog Posts: 1,824
    surferdude wrote:
    The key difference is that orporations have a 100% duty to earn money. People are not bound by law to live this way. Ethically corporations only need to follow the law.
    Then how about a law that says these corporations aren't allowed to work with these slavers? Then, they would either have to follow or break it. That'll pin the ethical label on 'em and make it stick. Provided we enforce it.
  • jlew24asujlew24asu Posts: 10,118
    If consumers weren't demanding white rhino horns then they'd still be here...works out well, doesn't it?
    would work out better if people didnt break the law to get them either.
  • jlew24asu wrote:
    would work out better if people didnt break the law to get them either.

    Yep, we need some good laws in place in other areas, as well. And of course, actually enforce them.
    If you want to tell people the truth, make them laugh, otherwise they'll kill you.

    Man is least himself when he talks in his own person. Give him a mask, and he will tell you the truth.
    -Oscar Wilde
  • Rushlimbo wrote:
    Yes, it is hard to believe the cruelty that humans can possess. I truly cannot understand how someone can do this to another human/animal. The U.S. has been pushing this issue with regards to slavery and sexual slavery.


    The U.S has been paying it lip service, and at the same time dropping 100 bombs costing one million dollars each in one night alone in bagdad. what about the women and children under those bombs? the u.s are pushing the issue my ass..
  • jlew24asujlew24asu Posts: 10,118
    The U.S has been paying it lip service, and at the same time dropping 100 bombs costing one million dollars each in one night alone in bagdad. what about the women and children under those bombs? the u.s are pushing the issue my ass..
    haha. look at you. you are new around here. I dont think he is going to disagree with you about bombs of baghdad.

    I will. The US is leading the fight against human trafficking and sexual slavery. yup, thats a fact.

    does your blind hatred of the US understand this?
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