Consumer Opportunities
When it comes to social responsibility, all companies are not equal. By using social criteria as a factor in our consumer choices, we can put pressure on companies that are not being socially responsible and reward those that are. In addition, many online stores now sell products produced by ex-slaves, and buying these products supports the economic freedom of these newly freed people.
The following websites can be broken up into two categories: Ethical Consumerism and Direct Support. In the Ethical Consumerism section, these webpages help you understand the broader impact that companies make on the world around them. This is not meant to be a black and white guide to corporate responsibility, but instead simply a factor in your consumer decisions. In addition to changing your purchasing decisions, you can write the companies expressing your approval or disapproval of their actions. The second section includes websites that sell products that directly benefit former slaves. Many of the products are made by former slaves, and all of the profits go to support slave rehabilitation and anti-slavery work.
Ethical Consumerism
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Free2Work is an ethical consumerism site specifically geared towards the anti-slavery movement. It was started by David Batstone, the founder of Not For Sale, and has a two fold mission. First, the group is urging companies to become a Free2Work company, which means they pledge to address any type of slavery in which their company may be directly or indirectly involved. Secondly, the site has a database of companies where users can upload information about their social policies, keeping them accountable for their impact on this planet. http://free2work.org/
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Knowmore.org is an organization that gathers information about corporate abuse and violations. It is set up in a Wikipedia format, which means that while it is a source of great information, entries can be biased or even completely wrong. The site does provide citations in many cases, and it provides a lot of information about the companies. Its key issues are worker's rights abuses, human rights abuses, environmental concerns, political influence, and business ethics. http://www.knowmore.org
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Better World Shopper is a website that provides rankings for companies by product. They focus on five key areas of concern: human rights, the environment, animal protection, community involvement, and social justice. Although there are not as many companies and products as other websites, the research is more thorough and rigorous. The information from the website can also be purchased in book form for convenience. http://www.betterworldshopper.org/
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Direct Support
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Made By Survivors is an organization that provides an outlet for products made by former slaves. They buy products directly from former slaves and develop aftercare facilities where former slaves can become self-supportive economically, all the while ensuring healthy living conditions and opportunities for rehabilitation and a new life. Any profits are donated to their sister organization, The Emancipation Network, which is a non-profit organization working against modern slavery. http://store.madebysurvivors.com/
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Global Exchange is a place where you can purchase fair trade items, knowing that the items you purchase are not driving people into slavery or supporting sweatshops. Often workers cannot support their families, and because of their desperation they are willing to believe the lies of recruiters who later force them into slavery. Fair trade products ensure that the workers earn an fair wage so that they can live decently and support their families. Furthermore, they are made without slave labor and in humane and safe conditions. Check out what you can buy at: http://www.globalexchangestore.org/
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