As a writer of science fiction I have been called into question as to why I include in my novel a theme of slavery and the fight against it. The point of view many have spoken has been 'slavery doesn't exist any more, why would it exist again in the future?' Well I hate to break it to you but slavery does still exist, it just hides under another name.
Recent reports show that workers from Nepal and India are dying in record numbers on Qatari construction sites since the country won its World Cup bid. FIFA pledged to do more to improve the "unacceptable" situation for World Cup workers, but guess what isn't happening. The Qatari construction managers seem to believe that if you pay someone a pittance for a wage then it doesn't count as slavery and that health and safety doesn't have to exist because 'there's plenty more where that came from'.
What is that if not slavery? What is slavery saving being keep in your 'job' by fear and oppression?
FIFA can make a difference in Qatar by using its influence to demand better standards for workers. It can call on Qatar to allow workers the freedom to change jobs or leave the country without their employer's permission and require all football World Cup host countries to comply with fundamental labour rights.
It is no secret as to how sporting events can be used to improve the lives of those that have no voices. Earlier this year, the voice of the masses carried the day and prevented two wild orcas being abused for the appreciation of the crowd at the Russian Winter Games. It has been done once before and it can be done again.
What is more the FIFA isn't the only big company that pretends it doesn't have a human rights problem.
Kellogg’s is silent about the deplorable conditions a new report from Oxfam alleges its workers and farm workers are facing. The company claims to be unaware of human rights abuses in its supply chain, and it is unclear as to the full extent to which workers are being abused. That's why the workers of Kellogg's farms need us to demand a full review.
Shareholders are stepping up and pressuring Kellogg’s to report human rights abuses in its production processes. The annual shareholder meeting is in just 3 weeks, and if we act now we can pressure Kellogg’s to investigate and issue a full report on human rights abuses.
Shareholders have the power to hold corporations accountable through their investments, savings and pensions -- we have the power to check corporate power as consumers. If we come together, we are unstoppable because, once again it is the power to vote with our feet. If we threat to stop buying Kellogg's products if they do not clean up their act then they will have no choice but to bow before the mounting pressure.
At one of its factories in Tennessee, workers were locked out of their own jobs as the union resisted Kellogg’s push to reduce wages and cuts benefits. Likewise, Kellogg’s has been prioritising profits over people by moving its factories from Australia to Thailand, where wages are lower and unionisation is equally scarce.
Kellogg’s claims it is not aware of workers’ rights violations in its supply chain, but it's not looking either. If it is not forced to look it isn't going to see the damage it is doing to human lives. The value of profit over human life is another mark of slavery.
Shareholders are speaking out against these practises -- they are worried about their long-term investments as the public learns about Kellogg’s human rights record. We can help make their case stronger by showing Kellogg’s its own customers and potential customers are appalled that it is ignoring the problem.
Kellogg’s has answered to pressure in the past. When both SumOfUs members and shareholders demanded action, Kellogg's committing to sourcing palm oil that was deforestation and exploitation free -- a landmark commitment in the industry. The consumer have won before, and we can win again.
If either of these case studies makes your blood boil, I've included the links to the petition site.
Sign the petition to ask Kellogg’s to conduct a full review of human rights abuses in its supply chain!
Call on the President of FIFA to ensure World Cup-related events are slavery-free.
Because I would say that it is a failure of the human family to continue to abuse our brothers and sisters.
No comments:
Post a Comment