DisposablePeople.org

...because slavery is not over                                           
                                                                                                                          English Change

What is modern slavery?
Forced labor. Free the Slaves estimates that there are 27 million slaves around the world today, more than ever before in human history. People are bought and sold like property and forced to work under physical and mental threat usually without pay. Modern slavery can take many shapes including sex slavery, child labor and child prostitution.


Slaves have few skills to make it in life, at least they have a job that would allow them to live and eventually to overcome poverty. Isn't that what we want?
Slavery does not help people break out of the poverty cycle. Slaves rarely get paid and when they do, the earnings are below poverty line --not barely enough to cover the most vital essentials --food and water. Moreover, slaves usually enter an endless debt bondage cycle in which they are forced to pay off the debt to the slaveholder --incurred during human trade purchase. When a slave is unable to repay the loan, it passes on to his/her family --sometimes even confining entire generations to slavery. These circumstances do not empower human trafficking victims, on the contrary, leave them more vulnerable by keeping them in poverty.


How can I minimize the chances of slave labor involvement in my seafood?
When looking for better options, there are fair traded certified products available. When buying seafood it is important to buy as local as possible as local is usually slave-free. Local shrimp for example, comes from the US Gulf Coast where fishermen, not children, process the product. Also, look for products that are properly labeled as to origin and company. If possible, verify it online, request more information or even pay a visit to the site. Most slaveholders will not volunteer information as they prefer to hide. However, if something appears too inexpensive, ask questions and if still in doubt buy a little better product not the questionable one. In addition, you can visit the Marine Stewardship Council site for information about certified sustainable seafood.


I live on a fixed budget and can't afford to pay for things that otherwise I could get for less. What if I can't afford to buy slave-free goods?
Slave stained products don't come with a low price but with a moral price. What you are paying at the cash register is only a minimal fraction of what the real price is --a human life. Every time we purchase products where slavery was involved, we are providing for a business that makes its profit out of degrading the human race. If you can't afford to pay for fair trade items, there are still several steps that can be taken to minimize the chances of buying a slave product.

• Consider making two lists, the first one --the need list. Necessities like food, shelter, water and clothing will go in this list, you have very little saying about buying certified/slave free items at this point, if they are not available, you'll buy what the market offers. On the other hand, the want list or second list will have the items you want. Keep in mind that needs and wants are not synonyms, and it's OK if this is a bit challenging, as it seems that we all have been conditioned to believe that our cravings are our needs. The second list empowers you because you have the last word on whether you want to buy that chocolate that was made with slave labor or not, etc. These two lists should be flexible allowing you to swap items between both. The more you read and educate yourself about slavery, the more you will know to which lists your items belong and the more informed decisions you will make at the grocery store. Finally, these lists are not limited to food only but also could be extended to clothing and just about any item where you can have a positive impact on global slavery.