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You can find the current article at its original source at http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2013/jan/10/cotton-slavery-uzbekistan
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| Cotton slavery | Cotton slavery |
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| It is difficult to know for certain that the clothes you wear are not tainted by slavery (Lucy Mangan: how many slaves work for you?, 5 January). Most of the cotton exported from Uzbekistan, mentioned in the article, ends up in Europe and we – often unknowingly – are complicit in forced labour simply by buying a T-shirt. Exceptionally, the practice of state-sponsored forced labour in Uzbekistan means that we are calling on retailers to avoid the use of Uzbek cotton. However, in the majority of situations we would strongly urge consumers not to boycott certain goods or brands as it can hurt those in slavery-like conditions. Instead, consumers can play an important role in ending modern-day slavery by putting pressure on governments to make sure laws are in place and enforced to protect vulnerable people, and on business to make sure forced labour is not present in their supply chains. | It is difficult to know for certain that the clothes you wear are not tainted by slavery (Lucy Mangan: how many slaves work for you?, 5 January). Most of the cotton exported from Uzbekistan, mentioned in the article, ends up in Europe and we – often unknowingly – are complicit in forced labour simply by buying a T-shirt. Exceptionally, the practice of state-sponsored forced labour in Uzbekistan means that we are calling on retailers to avoid the use of Uzbek cotton. However, in the majority of situations we would strongly urge consumers not to boycott certain goods or brands as it can hurt those in slavery-like conditions. Instead, consumers can play an important role in ending modern-day slavery by putting pressure on governments to make sure laws are in place and enforced to protect vulnerable people, and on business to make sure forced labour is not present in their supply chains. |
| Learning from the experience – not least from ending the transatlantic slave trade – we at Anti-Slavery International believe in the power of public pressure. www.antislavery.org/cottoncrimes. Joanna Ewart-James Supply chain programme co-ordinator, Anti-Slavery International | Learning from the experience – not least from ending the transatlantic slave trade – we at Anti-Slavery International believe in the power of public pressure. www.antislavery.org/cottoncrimes. Joanna Ewart-James Supply chain programme co-ordinator, Anti-Slavery International |
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