Complex connections
Slavery exists today in both traditional and modern forms. Often there is
no direct connection between forms of slavery and what we buy. Even where
connections exist, they can be complex and difficult to untangle. Many goods
or services that use slavery are part of local and domestic economies rather
than for export, for example bonded labourers working on farms in Nepal,
child domestic workers in the Philippines, or traditional slavery in parts
of West Africa.
Much of modern day slavery therefore needs to be eliminated through research,
campaigning and advocacy at the local, regional and international level.
That is how Anti-Slavery International works, in partnership with local
organisations around the world. Find out more about how
we work.
Making the link: Fair and ethical trade
There are some examples of a direct connection between what consumers
in developed countries buy and the use of slavery. Products where this
may be the case include chocolate and hand-knotted rugs. Here consumer
power can play an important role. Consumers can also act positively in
response to issues of wider labour exploitation.
Where possible, we would encourage you to buy ethically or, preferably,
fairly-traded goods.
What is fair trade?
Fair trade means that decent working conditions are assured and producers
are guaranteed a fair price for their goods. Producers also receive a
premium that is invested in development projects that combat poverty.
Increased demand for fair trade shows small producers that people are
willing to pay a fair price for their goods. It would ensure that the
system grows and that more workers are helped. It also tells large companies
that consumers are committed to ethical purchasing. Find out whether a
fair trade labelling
scheme exists in your country.
What is ethical trade?
Ethically traded goods are monitored for their core labour
standards including no forced labour or illegal child labour. However,
they do not guarantee a fair price. The Ethical Trading Initiative (ETI),
of which Anti-Slavery International is a member, is one scheme that encourages
companies to improve conditions of employment. To find out more see the
ETI website.
For more information about cocoa, visit our campaign
action on forced labour in the cocoa industry, and to learn more about
hand-woven rugs and carpets, visit RUGMARK
which is a certification scheme for rugs and carpets made without
illegal child labour. Our Slave Trade,
Fair Trade leaflet has more about fair and ethical trade in general
and can be printed off to give to your friends.
Why not boycott?
In certain situations boycotting goods can actually make the situation
worse and undermine the economy of an already poor country. A boycott
could hurt those in slavery-like conditions as well as those employers
who are not exploiting their workers, and worsen the poverty that is one
of the root causes of the problem. Support fair and ethical trade initiatives
instead.
Labour exploitation
People are exploited at work beyond the abuses associated with slavery,
for example in sweatshops or export processing zones. You can find links
to organisations that work to combat
these abuses on our links page.
Core labour standards
These seek to eliminate forced labour, child labour and discrimination
in employment, while ensuring respect for the right to freedom of association
and collective bargaining. Codes of conduct of companies and schemes such
as the Ethical Trading Initiative should meet these standards. They are
agreed by the International Labour Organization (ILO), which is the part
of the United Nations and is responsible for developing and enforcing
labour standards. Human rights groups such as Anti-Slavery International
can put pressure on governments to maintain these standards by lobbying
through trade union representatives to the ILO.
Responsibilities of Transnational Corporations
Some of the biggest players in the global economy are Transnational Corporations
(TNCs). It is vital that these companies are held to account in terms
of human rights, including for the way their workers are treated.
Last year the United Nations began the process of adopting some Norms
on the Responsibilities of Transnational Corporations and Other Business
Enterprises with Regard to Human Rights. Anti-Slavery International
was one of over 200 civil society organisations that pledged support for
these Norms.
The UN Human Rights Norms for Business do not create new legal
obligations, but simply bring together and restate existing obligations
under international law as they apply to companies. However, if widely
accepted they would be a step towards strengthening international legal
accountability for TNCs. For instance, they incorporate the minimum labour
standards embodied in documents such as the Universal Declaration of
Human Rights, the Convention on the Rights of the Child, and
the ILO Declaration of Fundamental Principles of Rights at Work.
Find out more and read the statement
from members of civil society.
Broader concerns
Modern forms of slavery are also connected to the global economy more
broadly:
Poverty
One of the root causes of slavery and slavery-like conditions, and
where globalisation exacerbates and increases poverty and inequality,
it makes people more vulnerable to slavery. The increased demand for cheaper
products, for example, means labour costs are driven down. This can lead
to worsened conditions for workers and again, a greater vulnerability
to exploitation and slavery.
Unfair trade rules and the institutions governing international trade
need to be changed so that trade can be used to help and not harm poor
communities. Find out more by visiting the Trade
Justice Movement website.
Migration and trafficking
Increasing numbers of people are moving away from their homes in search
of work. This is linked to poverty, but also to cheaper and easier means
of international travel and the global media, which promotes perceptions
of affluence to poorer parts of the world. Governments have tended to
react to the increase in migration by making their immigration policies
more restrictive. This in turn makes migrants more vulnerable to exploitation
and trafficking. Find out more by reading our report, The
Migration-Trafficking Nexus. Or take
action on trafficking in the UK.
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