Why It Matters

I care deeply about the people who are affected by my shopping.  My dollars have the power to bring freedom . . . or slavery.  Yes!  SLAVERY.  So many of the clothing items that we purchase are made by slave laborers and even with child labor.

Many of my readers live in the United States of America and believe in the land of the free and the home of the brave.  Yet within our country, we have human trafficking and we support human trafficking elsewhere.  Due to our US companies sourcing fabric, electronics, purses, and other products unethically, the US consumers support the forced labor trade through financing.  It has to stop.  Don’t you agree?  It stops when each one of us takes a look at our spending habits and chooses to purchase wisely and ethically.

If you don’t know whether your clothing, electronics, and other household items are being produced ethically, keep reading.

The Stats

• Almost 21 million people are victims of forced labor – 11.4 million women and girls and 9.5 million men and boys.
• Almost 19 million victims are exploited by private individuals or enterprises.
• 5.5 million (26 %) are below 18 years.
• Of those exploited by individuals or enterprises, 4.5 million are victims of forced sexual exploitation.
• The other 14.5 million are mostly laboring in domestic work, agriculture, construction, manufacturing, and entertainment.
• Forced labor in the private economy generates US $150 billion in illegal profits each year.

Source: International Labor Association – Forced labour, […]