Just Act
Carols are on non-stop repeat in shops, the Myers windows are open and the weather is heating up… Christmas is definitely in the air!
Christmas is a celebration of the birth of, to say the very least, a special child; it is eagerly awaited and celebrated by people, especially children, all over the world. So why are people and even children in developing countries being exploited for us in the developed world to enjoy Christmas?
The US Department of Labor recently brought out a report of goods produced by child labour and exploited labour. This was a part of an in-depth review on exploitive working conditions in the production of goods around the world. The report found evidence that Christmas decorations (and other products that are usually given as gifts at Christmas time) were made under forced labour conditions in China and, in some ways even more shocking, the US Bureau of International Labor Affairs (ILAB) has also found some evidence of child labour being used to make Christmas decorations in more advanced economies.
The report is a timely Christmas season reminder that the products that we buy for gifts can make a huge impact, not only on those who will receive them, but on those who have made them. The impact that we make can be positive or negative. By buying products that are independently verified as being ethically made (e.g. Fairtrade, World Fair Trade Organisation, No Sweat Shop label) we can ensure that we positively improve, instead of negatively degrade, the lives of those involved in the production process.
With this in mind, make sure that this year the gifts and decorations that you buy, and the way you celebrate, causes less harm to others in the developing world. The experience of hope this Christmas should be open to all.
The JustAct team- Antony and Tess
Think
Christmas Spirit…? http://www.justact.org.au/action-41-christmas-spirit/
JustAct Fair Trade catalogue
TrackBack URI for this entry
Subscribe to this comment's feed
Show/Hide comment form
