Reflect upon your purchasing habits
Christine Commerce,
Diocese of Orlando's New Human Trafficking Task Force Coordinator, challenges
us to become ethical consumers in her recent blog post addressing labor
trafficking and exploitation. "In our society of excessive consumerism, we
often purchase things, whether we need them or not, just because it was on sale
or we got a great deal. People don't realize that many toys and clothing
produced in countries such as Bangladesh, Burma, China, India, Malaysia,
Thailand, and Vietnam are produced through either child labor, forced
labor or forced child labor."
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As the holiday season is upon us, here’s a challenge for
you. Instead of days on end braving the crowds, fighting for a parking space
and then frantically searching for the best deal for stuff that you and your
loved ones probably don’t need, place more emphasis on the gift of time with
family, friends, and those who are lonely.
In our society of excessive consumerism, we often purchase
things, whether we need them or not, just because it was on sale or we got a
great deal. People don’t realize that many toys and clothing produced in
countries such as Bangladesh, Burma, China, India, Malaysia, Thailand, and
Vietnam are produced through either child labor, forced labor or forced child
labor.
According to the United States Department of Labor, child
labor means all work performed by a person below the age of 15. It also
includes all work performed by a person below the age of 18 in the following
practices: All forms of slavery or practices similar to slavery, and where work
is likely to harm the health, safety or morals of children.
Forced labor includes work provided or obtained by force,
fraud or coercion, including: (1) By threats of serious harm to, or physical
restraint against any person; (2) cause the belief that, if the person did not
perform such labor or services, that person or another would suffer serious
harm or physical restraint.
Consider shopping instead this holiday season with the
Catholic Relief Services Ethical Trade Program (www.Ethicaltrade.CRS.org )
which has a plethora of reasonably priced gifts. This price tag comes with the
knowledge that you helped uplift a world of people, who are paid fair wages,
provided safer working conditions and have environmentally sustainable
practices. So, if you’re looking for a good deal or even a fundraiser for your
parish – that’s two great causes for the price of one.
If you decide to brave the hordes of shoppers searching for
that excellent deal, consider downloading the Sweat & Toil app from the
U.S. Dept. of Labor at
http://www.dol.gov/ilab/reports/child-labor/list-of-goods/. There at your
fingertips, you will find a complete list of products and the countries that
contribute to labor trafficking. Consider using this app not only during
Christmas but throughout the coming year. It could be your New Year’s
Resolution! Buying smarter may not save money but can help save lives.
“Things have a price and can be for sale. But people have
dignity that is priceless and worth far more than things.” – Pope Francis
