PSA: Slavery is a MODERN DAY Issue
In 1863, the United States issued the Emancipation Proclamation; Today there are more slaves than ever before in history, and they may be working for you
Modern day slavery is here. It’s real. And it’s in your backyard.
(And here I don’t mean “just” exploitations of workers. I don’t mean “just” child labor. I don’t mean “just” unsafe working conditions.)
Some companies that sell their products in Western countries are powered by real live actual humans in chains who are coerced and/or trafficked. Is your lifestyle made possible by slavery?
Nestle is famous for a wide variety of food products.
Just last year, Nestle stood trial. In the courtroom, workers accused the megacorporation of slavery.
In their lawsuit, the group of men alleged that they were forced to work on the cocoa farms for 12–14 hours a day. They also said they were kept under armed guard while they slept, in order to prevent them from escaping, and were paid little beyond basic food.
The United States Supreme Court threw out the case. Not because the allogations were unfounded, but because the alleged abuses took place outside the United States…
Is that Crunch bar still worth it?
But let’s not point the finger at Nestle alone (although we should definitely still point the finger at them). Dozens of industries- chocolate, coffee, technology (cobalt mining), mica (used for makeup, technology and dozens of other products), rugs, textiles are all ubiquitious in modern society. And many of these products may be tained by modern day slavery.
Here’s another example of slavery on your shelves
If your fish or pet food is imported from Thailand, it may be fished by slaves…
Prum was sold into slave labour, sent to sea on a fishing trawler. He was forced to work around the clock and through storms, allowed a maximum two hours’ sleep by day and two hours at night.
Violence happened on the boat every day for the next four years as a way of keeping those enslaved in line, Prum tells Guardian Australia through a translator. He says people would disappear off the boats without warning, and were assumed to have been killed and thrown into the sea. One night, Prum says he saw one Thai worker cut another man’s head off with a cleaver.
End slavery in 5 steps
Become a modern day abolitionist
It’s 2022. We can’t continue to finance and incentivize owning and exploiting other humans. We need to take the following five steps:
- We need to spread awarness. This is a good website for learning about the modern day slave trade.
This website will let you know how many slaves work for you.
The answer may be shocking. This was my result…
2. We need to take legal action. You can contact your Congressman or Representative and make it clear that stronger anti-slave laws are needed.
3. Look for products that are slave free. Some companies are transparents about their process, production and supply lines. Others rely on external certifications to demonstrate their ethical sourcing. Fair Trade International is probably the most recognized certification, but others are sorely needed.
4. Beware of products that are too cheap. Sometimes they are so cheap for a reason… And isn’t worth an extra five dollars to not be financing explotation and trafficking.
5. Learn the signs. Human trafficking happens worldwide. Learn the signs. You could save a life.
