Forced labor exists in many forms. Both adults and children are left to deal with the tough tasks of mining, domestic service, sexual services, agriculture, and other industries that do not provide the individual with pay, while holding them against their will. Since the United States’ economy gets most of its profit from agriculture, the demand of farm labor is increasing across the country. With the expansion of agricultural production, wages and working conditions are decreasing leading to the forced labor of workers. The U.S. government estimates that between 14,000 and 17,000 adults and children are trafficked into the United States. While the United States is using forced labor to meet demands, other countries are doing the same, which is increasing the number of forced laborers around the world. According to Kevin Bales, in Hidden Slaves, “because forced labor is hidden, inhumane, widespread, and criminal, sustained and coordinated efforts by U.S. law enforcement, social service providers, and the general public are needed to expose and eradicate this illicit trade”. The state of California has come up with a law, California Supply Chain Transparency Act, to keep track of the products sold within its companies, by requiring public reports of direct supply chains. This method will prevent and eliminate forced labor by putting companies that depend on forced laborers out of business. Once this law is carried out within other states and countries, the amount of forced laborers will significantly decrease, as forced labor in imported products is diminished.
Companies in California, as well as companies that do business in California, that will be required to keep track of their products’ producers are ones who deal with retail and make over $100,000,000 a year. While some companies might already be working to eradicate slavery, the new law requires documentation. Once the company verifies the origin of the products and evaluates all the suppliers in the supply chain, it must make this information available on its website. Companies without a website have 30 days to provide copies including this information. The California Supply Chain Transparency Act will be effective on January 1st, 2012. However, it takes time to develop policies, train employees, and have the suppliers participate in this development, so preparations must begin immediately.
I completely agree with California's ethic. It's a wonderful idea that I feel every state should welcome. Putting pressure on material suppliers will make the cost of products rise, but the lives of the workers will be improved. When people are out of poverty, they have the tendency to be more productive and positively impact the world.
ReplyDeleteAdding a couple cents to the price of an item is well worth improving the lives of workers, and making sure that products are not produced by slave labor.
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