ACTION AGAINST THE NEW SLAVERY

Slavery may be illegal today in every country, but it exists and is actually growing rapidly throughout the world. But unlike the slaves of the past, the new slaves are not seen as long-term investments. Instead, slaveholders view them as cheap, requiring little care, and in the end, disposable. But one thing remains the same: violence. People are still taken by force and held against their will through fear. Take a look at the economic and social forces that sustain slavery, from the corruption of local governments to the complicity of multinational corporations. See just who benefits from the incredible profits of the new slavery -- and how we all lose, in the end. See how the lives of these slaves are bound by our own through our purchase of slave-made products or mutual funds that invest in companies using slave labor. Learn how individuals and governments can combat slavery; take on successful antislavery actions encouraged by international and local organizations. Have mercy: Do something.

This piece is excerpted from Kevin Bales' new book, Disposable People: New Slavery in the Global Economy Berkeley: University of California Press, 1999. I sincerely urge you to do much more than read it: share these ideas with others and take concrete action through the conscious choices you make.

• Join Anti-Slavery International. All around the world ASI is working to end slavery, through local organizations, by investigating and exposing slaveholders, by lobbying national governments, and by pressuring the UN. Join with ASI in fighting slavery. You can write to it in the United States at: Anti-Slavery International
  Suite 312--CIP
  1755 Massachusetts Avenue, N.W.
  Washington, D.C. 20036-2102
  
  
  For the latest information about slavery worldwide, you can also visit the Anti-Slavery International website at http://www.charitynet.org/~asi
  
  The main office of ASI is:
  
  Anti-Slavery International
  Thomas Clarkson House
  The Stableyard
  Broomgrove Road
  London SW99TL
  England
  
  
• Read Disposable People: New Slavery in the Global Economy Berkeley: University of California Press, 1999. Don't put it on the shelf. Give it to someone else to read. Ignorance about slavery is one of the main reasons why it still grows. ALL royalties from this book go back to the fight against slavery; that's why Kevin doesn't feel shy about urging you to buy another copy for a friend. Take it to your club or church group where books are borrowed and discussed.
  
  
• Ask hard questions of charities. If you currently support any organizations or charities that work in the developing world, be it child sponsorship, missionary work, or medical relief, ask them: What are you doing to stop slavery? What agencies are you supporting locally in the struggle against slavery? And if none, why?
  
  
• Ask hard questions of politicians. One of the most powerful weapons against slavery is the threat of economic sanctions by the big economies. A law passed in the U.S. Congress all but stopped child slavery in Dominican sugar fields overnight. When politicians want your vote, ask them what they are doing to stop slavery.
  
  
• Ask hard questions of your pension fund and your investments. Can your pension fund or mutual fund assure you that it is not investing in companies that are linked to slave labor? What criteria besides profit guide its choice of investment? If it can't or won't give you a straight answer, MOVE YOUR MONEY. There are ethical funds that can ensure you don't have to profit from slavery.
  
  

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