WP33 said:
Thank you for the well mannered and reasoned response. Good thinking points. It's just unfortunate that in some cases, because of the component nature of some products (not foodstuffs, mind you, though even some of that can be questionable), you just don't know where some of the stuff is coming from. And it's laudable to want to support those fair trade companies, but is it 100% doable?
I am sure that I consume stuff that has been made at the expense of cheap labour somewhere.
But I try in as far as I can, to make sure that what I do consume is ehically and fairly sourced.
Is it doable ? Not 100% of the time, I am sure but I try my best.
I have asked the staff in the shopping malls about product "I am interesting in buying ABCD but I'd like to know where this product is sourced from and how it is sourced" : that get's their attention.
WP33 said:
This is where I feel the hypocrite label is apt for those who say "I buy only fair trade goods" but don't know where everything they consume comes from. It's just not easily done unless you eliminate a large portion of what you buy. Everyone flip over the tag of the shirt you're wearing right now, look at it, and you'll see what I'm driving at. The basics are if Hanes can make 25% more on a single pair of socks made in Pakistan over a pair made by unionized shop workers in Ohio, they will. I don't have to like it, and don't, but thems facts.
and you're 100% correct in what you say here.
To make any product in the first world will always be more expensive - in terms of labour costs - than it is to make in the third world.
But if you buy a product made in the USA - even though it may be dearer, you are helping to protect your fellow citizens livelihood as well.
I have no difficulty with buying a product from the third world - so long as I can be sure that the person making that product is getting a fair wage and is
working in good conditions and is not being forced to work in a sweatshop 24 hours per day.
WP33 said:
And, the majority of the population doesn't think as you do, Lim, unfortunately. They're happy with their cheap goods, lower quality coffees, the Wal-Marts and McDonalds of the world because they're cheaper and they want
stuff. They want TVs and basketball shoes and cars for less money, and the companies want their money, so they accomodate. You are right, as long as the choice is made to purchase these goods, it will perpetuate the whole cycle and you'll have your Bangladeshi t-shirts and Mexican-farmed tomatoes (at least here in the US). There's an inequity in the system, but we can't just lay the blame on the producers. We as consumers need to take on part of that burden, I agree, but when the saturation of inequitably produced goods in the marketplace is so high, lotsa luck. I for one don't wish to start knitting my own socks.
I don't want to darn my own socks either.
And I am not what some people call "a tree hugger" either.
I just think that I am earning a good wage, I am fortunate to be in the first world and I feel I have a responsibility, because I am fortunate, to try to do the correct thing when I can.
I try to put myself in the position of the person in the third world - that's all.
I am sure a lot of people can't afford to make a choice - they buy the cheapest because their incme dictates.
I just think that where we can make an informed choice, we should.
(I don't want to this to appear to be a homily about good living either !)