The more I've read about issues of exploitation such as human trafficking and forced labour, the more I've realised that these issues can't be examined in isolation. The factors which make up the circumstances which drive people into slavery all contribute to the fabric of exploitation which is all around us, every day. The problem of poverty and desperation is not going away. Wars and conflicts create refugees and internally displaced peoples, who become desperate for means of survival, and outside the protection of laws for civilians. The rate of child labour has apparently doubled in Lebanon since the conflict in Syria has created an influx of refugees. The International Labour Organization (ILO) study 'Profits and Poverty: The Economics of Forced Labour', found that forced labour reaps at least $150 billion in annual profits for businesses around the world. Perhaps this is one of the reasons why 'despite decades of increasing global awareness of child labour, and the forced labour of children and adults alike, the world is still so far from stamping it out.' (Kielburger) Kielburger argues that western consumers just don't ask enough questions about where products come from. He argues that the more pressure companies feel from customers, the more attention they will pay to ethical sourcing.
Just a quick search on Google brings up some fairtrade clothing sites and they don't seem overpriced:
http://www.fabandfair.co.uk/
http://www.traidcraftshop.co.uk/c-232-fair-trade-and-organic-clothing.aspx
http://www.peopletree.co.uk/
This site provides links to fairtrade products available at major high street retailers and supermarkets:
http://www.fairtrade.org.uk/products/cotton/stockists.aspx
It's no longer a niche product that's hard to find, but buying fairtrade clothing will probably result in a change of habits - not just popping into town and picking the first thing off the rail. I'm challenged to change!
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