Your Current Slavery Footprint

By Elise Jones, blog editor

Have you ever thought about what goes into making that shirt you are wearing? What about that beverage you are drinking? Or the computer you are reading on right now? These are all everyday items we use over and over again but what I’m about to say may shock you:

“All of these were made by slaves.” That’s right, slaves. But you thought there was no such thing as that in a first-world country? We had abolition decades ago in the U.S. But it doesn’t have to do with what is happening in the U.S., it has to do with where these products come from and how they are made.

It all has to do with the supply chain- the process of making a product- and where it all starts from. Think of all the things needed to make, deliver and sell a product; that’s included in the supply chain. And where does it all start? Generally with workers in third-world countries who are badly underpaid and poorly treated. In places like China and India where the laws and regulations we have here have not jurisdiction.

But companies, like those that make clothing, jewelry and computers, all use these countries and their workers to make their products. Do you want to know just how much of an impact you have as an individual and just the products you use? Go to Slavery Footprint and in 5 minutes you will be given a footprint about how many people are forced to produce your lifestyle.

Slavery Footprint is a very interesting company that just brings the facts to light. They feel the way to get attention of brands is to make “noise” and say you won’t accept buying products that have slaves in the supply chain.

Slavery exists and it can be found in almost every product you buy and use on a daily basis. It’s up to us to demand for transparency in how our products are made. Want to do that, here are some easy ways to get started (from Slavery Footprint):

• Find out how many slaves work for you. Post your score to Facebook and Twitter and encourage your friends to do the same.
• Download the Free World mobile app to your iPhone or Android . Use it to check into businesses you visit and let them know that you’re a customer who cares about slavery.
• Let companies know you would be willing to pay more for a product if you knew it was made without slave labor.
• Talk to local merchants and ask them to find out of their products were Made In A Free World.
• Ask national brands to audit their supply chains. Let them know you care about slavery.

I leave you with this lovely quote: