Modern Slavery

Many years ago, there was a song sung by Tennessee Ernie Ford called "16 Tons".  It was the story of a coal miner and the lyrics pretty much told the story --


You load sixteen tons, what do you get
Another day older and deeper in debt
Saint Peter don't you call me 'cause I can't go
I owe my soul to the company store


The company was the only major employer in the vicinity so miners couldn't easily find other (or better paying) jobs.  The company provided the miners with housing and food, but charged them room and board.  And because the mine was in a remote location, it also owned the only stores for all other miners' needs. (And charged exorbitant prices for the merchandise they sold.)  As a result, the poorly paid miners ended the pay period earning little (if any) more than what they owed for room, board and the merchandise they purchased at the company store.  In essence, the conditions these miners lived in amounted to a form of economic slavery.

"16 Tons" significantly increased American awareness to the economic plight of those who suffered under similar conditions and helped to eliminate similar working conditions in the US.

Consider what is happening in China.  On Jan. 25, the New York times published an article "In China, Human Costs Are Built Into an iPad"  describing working conditions in a factory owned by Apple.  From all other reports of working conditions in Chinese factories, Apple's factory is pretty much typical.  If you look closely, you will see that the conditions that Chinese workers live in are terribly similar to those alluded to in "16 Tons".  The location, language, environment and technology may be different, but the economic slavery and exploitation are not. And the sad reality is that it is primarily Americans who are financing this.

We purchase Chinese (and other foreign) goods because they are cheaper than American made goods, but in so doing we support exploitation and economic slavery in several of those countries.  At the same time, we are depriving many Americans of jobs and a decent standard of living.

Looked at from a larger economic viewpoint, the resulting balance of trade deficit amounts to large amounts of American wealth being sent abroad with the net result that those who receive the bulk of that wealth (who are seldom the workers) can live lavishly and even purchase large slices of the American pie.  

For a few Americans, this dependency on cheap foreign goods has become a necessity because their earnings aren't sufficient to enjoy a decent standard of living.  But for most Americans, it's not a necessity, it's just convenient because it enables them to buy more toys (most of which will be discarded within a year).  We are all guilty and I include myself in that.  But in becoming more aware of the impact of my own behavior I am trying change my buying habits to limit my purchases to merchandise that is "Made in USA" or is at least produced under "Fair Trade" agreements.

We can only reduce modern slavery significantly by refusing to patronize those who exploit human labor.  But in so doing, it is important for all of us to be much more sensitive to the conditions under which all goods and services we purchase are provided regardless of where they are produced.