#free2work

http://free2work.org/

http://www.free2work.org/

Human trafficking is much more than the trade and force of sex. Human trafficking is modern-day slavery and there are more slaves today then ever before in history. The human trafficking of people to work in labor is much more common then we realize, it occurs in the U.S. and around the world.

So how many slaves work for you? Well you can find out. There is a GREAT website called My Footprint that you can take an interactive survey and they will estimate how many slaves are likely used to labor the products and lifestyle you have. Check out this website at http://slaveryfootprint.org/ and take the survey to find out how many slaves are likely used to create your lifestyle. The results are an estimate based on what is known about human trafficking and forced labor; geographic locations that products are made and the prevalence of forced labor workers. Furthermore, this website will send an email to companies that you likely use, based on your responses, advocating about human trafficking. I sent this email to 30 companies.

An example of the email is listed below:

Dear [Company],

As a supporter of your business, I wanted to let you know I've recently become aware of an issue that affects us both: modern-day slavery. There are over 27 million people enslaved today, many of whom make the things we use and buy. This issue is quickly becoming a priority for millions of consumers world wide.

I'd like to know how much your company has investigated and mitigated the potential exposure to forced labor in your supply management systems.

Do you have a robust code of conduct that is current with recent forced labor data and prevention recommendations? Are your suppliers, both direct and indirect, aware of your value for human rights and freedom? How are you making sure your suppliers are living up to your expectations regarding forced labor?

I'm certain we share the same values of freedom and I know it’s challenging to address this complex issue.

My request is simple. Let me know that this is a priority for your business. Go to www.madeinafreeworld.com/business and sign up to learn more.

Sincerely,

[Your name will be here]

Another GREAT website is Free2Work: http://www.free2work.org/. This website gives grade ratings to companies based on the following areas:

Supply Chain

Policies

Transparency & Traceability

Monitoring & Training

Worker Rights

Risk Analysis

This is based on a 61-question survey given to companies. You can look at companies from apparel, to food, to wellness, to toys, and much, much more. The grades are given from A+ to F and they give detailed information on the areas that they were graded.

So what can you do? What can I do? We can be informed about labor trafficking. We can understand that we are apart of the problem. We are, to an extent we purchase the products that forced labor is a part of. BUT we are apart of the SOLUTION. We can sign petitions, we can email companies, we can check company ratings, we can be aware and informed, and we can spread the word.

-Spread the word.

Marissa

Sources:

http://slaveryfootprint.org/

For all the SJ work on tumblr, Americans generally know shit about where their products come from. People who don't have their essentials have shitty lives to help provide us our frivolous things... we need to start boycotting shit.

The "Made in Canada" sticker or label barely exists here in Canada. If you go to The Bay or to Holt Renfrew the selection is either very limited or non-existent. The sales staff will laugh at you or be seriously confused hen you ask which clothing lines are made in Canada or the USA.

I needed a new winter jacket since my previous one from Artizia at the outrageous price of $400 is very worm out from it's previous four years of use. The quality of the jacket is questionable, but I did get good use out of it. Where was it made you may ask, the answer is Bangladesh.

What are our options if we want to buy clothing made in North America then? There are only two: buying second-hand or supporting local artisans. The latter being much more reasonable on your wallet. My "new" coat is from my mom's closet, made in the USA from the 70s.

What's incredulous to me is that luxurious brands like Prada and Givenchy export their manufacturing to third world countries as well. These luxury clothing brands are no longer priding themselves on high quality, they are instead priding themselves on their high profit margins.

There is an increasing trend for consumers to demand and seek out locally made products, I hope we begin to see a shift in responsibility of companies and an increase in local Canadian clothing producers.

If you are interested in how ethical the company you are buying your clothes from is, Free2Work is a good resource providing statistics on a wide-variety of mainstream clothing brands and other consumer products. They even have an app for your smartphone!

The latest work report for Harry Potter chocolate production received an F in human rights.

The cocoa industry is extremely corrupt, and sadly a majority of chocolate products imported into America were made under inhumane conditions that allow child labor and exploitation of farmers. 

When officially Harry Potter licensed candy products were first being produced, the Harry Potter Alliance campaigned for them to be made under fair trade practices. However, the latest in human rights approval ratings gave an F to the chocolate working conditions of the Harry Potter franchise. 

Warner Brothers has since responded, claiming to have their own work report that ensures they are "committed to ensuring equal opportunity and compliance with all applicable fair employment and non-discrimination laws around the world."

However, they refuse to release the report to the public.

Show Us the Report is working against this, petitioning for Warner Brothers to release the elusive work report to fans and activists around the world who are upset by the cruelty of enforcing inhumane labor practices upon children, within a franchise that was written for children, with lessons in fact about empathy and equality. You can help by signing the petition, and raising awareness about this issue.