Copyright Michael Wolf – http://photomichaelwolf.com
Joe Wright, Guest
Waking Times
Waking Times
The story of a letter embedded in a package of Kmart Halloween decorations received by Oregonian Julie Keith immediately went ultra-viral as it detailed an excruciating cry for help from a prisoner of a Chinese forced labor camp.
I can see how they might try to spin this to the letter was planted. Planted by whom? Does Julie Keith really need the notoriety that bad? Why would she make up a planted letter about a fictitious man in a Chinese forced labor camp? If she did make it up then she must know something no on else knows, that are Chinese Labor camps. I thought it was common knowledge. Wait a minute it is. We make fun of cheap stuff as it must have been made in china. WHY ARE WE STILL SAYING THAT!!!
The letter brought to the forefront a part of the American economy that most of us would like to ignore, or simply hope is being dealt with appropriately behind the scenes: the fact that the low prices that are such a boon to the American consumer-driven economy have a terrible hidden price attached.
As a testament to the will of human freedom, the author of the letter has gone even further and has identified himself to the New York Times. For now, he’s simply “Mr. Zhang.” He is 47 years old and has more to tell about his time as a slave.
His story takes place within the infamous Masanjia prison camp. This is the same camp where a video exposé produced by the Lens magazine documented the women’s section of the prison and its abysmal conditions, as well as the lives that have been destroyed to support its function. It’s stomach churning viewing, but a must-see in order to face the reality of what is being tacitly supported by the wealthier nations that benefit from the “work” being done there. The origins of the Masanjia camp — a former graveyard — strangely echo the Halloween trinkets received by Americans like Julie Keith. It’s a place literally built upon death and where death and nightmares continue.China is home to at least 1,000 forced labor camps, calledLaogai, whose goods wind up on the shelves of retailers such as “Wal-Mart, Home Depot, K-Mart, Target, Lowes, and dozens of other U.S. corporations.” [1] The camps were originally set up in the 1950s by Mao and have endured despite increasing awareness by the outside world of what life is like for its untold number of inmates.
Here is just a snapshot of what one can expect upon entering the Chinese slave labor system, according to a report from the Asian Human Rights Commission:
- Average age of a worker in a typical Chinese toy factory: between 12- and 15-years-old.
- Typical wage of workers in Asian toy factories: from as little as 6 cents an hour up to 40 cents an hour (in U.S. dollar terms).
- Typical number of hours worked in a day during busy periods: up to 19.
- Typical number of days worked per week: 6.
- Young workers work all day in 104-degree temperature, handling toxic glues, paints, and solvents.
- Workers weakened by illness and pregnant workers, who are supposed to have legal protection, are forced to quit.
- The typical profile of workers in these factories involves single young women migrants from rural areas to the cities in search of jobs.
Some of you might rightly ask: Why don’t they do something? Well, some have. Workers have rioted, even as mass organization is next to impossible with the level of control and surveillance in place. In late September, 2013 2,000 workers revolted … only to be outnumbered by 5,000 police. Sure the plant was closed for a few days to mop up, but business was eventually resumed. And resumed with the extra knowledge of remaining workers that resistance is all but futile.
The reality is that working conditions in many of the Brand name factories in China, as well as in other countries that promote inexpensive manual labor, are not what one would consider fair or just.
This Has to stop!
It is not just about CHINA and the their FORCED LABOR
CAMPS!.This could be us Someday!
That could never happen. TELL that to the Native Indians of North America! I Know it hurts It's clear that we can’t depend upon corporations who enabled this practice in the name of their better bottom lines. Nor can we stand idly by hoping that some well-meaning organization attempts a rescue, or government attempt to enact legislation. This is a practice that is long entrenched, but at its core cannot continue forever without consumer support. Sorry, this one is on us. Anyone who has knowledge of what is taking place becomes complicit. It is the price of knowledge, but empowers us to make decisions based on conscience, not only what is a good deal.
This story has already become big enough where ignorance of slave labor is becoming a minority position. We all must ask ourselves: now that we are armed with knowledge, what are WE going to do about it? For starters, help educate others about the penalty (and crime) of apathy. Buy local, or at least be sure about the full provenance of your purchase before committing your almighty dollar. Then, offer your own solutions. What else can be done to see that others can attain the same level of freedom we claim to be fighting for on a daily basis? I look forward to your comments.
Sources:
http://freedomanifesto.blogspot.com/2013/11/china-is-home-to-over-1000-forced-labor.htmlhttp://www.huffingtonpost.com/2013/11/07/chinese-prisoner-letter-identified_n_4233949.html
http://www.humanevents.com/2006/08/21/red-chinese-slave-labor-floods-nafta-marketplace-with-cheap-goods/
http://www.humanevents.com/2006/08/21/red-chinese-slave-labor-floods-nafta-marketplace-with-cheap-goods/
This article was originally featured on ActivistPost.com.
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