Bloggers Unite Tackle Human Rights Abuse

Bloggers Unite is tackling the problem of human rights by bringing awareness to human rights abuses around the world. Bloggers are asked to post information about a human rights topic on May 15th. I decided since this is a knitting/travel bloggy thingy to try to find something that had to do with wool or knitting--so I did a little research.

I was hoping that human rights weren't being violated in the making of wool because I really don't want to be made to feel guilty about my addiction. What I did find was information about the chemicals and pesticides that are used to kill the various vermin that take up residence in a sheep's wool. Farm workers are then exposed to these chemicals. Chemical solvents are used in the production of the wool as well, which can be harmful to humans. Cotton didn't fair much better, maybe even worse. The article from Green Guide said that cotton crops make up for about 25 percent of all insecticides used worldwide and that many of the pesticides used on cotton can cause cancer in humans. So what do we do? Buy organic cotton and wool... or hemp, which is supposed to be some of the strongest fiber out there and not treated with chemicals (too hardy to need them).
Source: Green Guide

But I wanted to unearth something more dramatic. Not to downplay the importance of keeping all farm workers and knitters healthy, but I wanted a news story. The eighth graders in our school just did a big human rights project and their reports on sweatshops and slave labor inspired me. In Herat, fur and wool factory workers, who work six-day weeks for US$6/week, are being put at risk of lung disease due to poor conditions. They are given no protective gear and the fur and wool can be contaminated with microbes that attack the respiratory system. Women are dying in these factories and although the government asks that employers who hire people for hazardous work provide health insurance, that isn't happening.
Source: IRIN

Bottom line: Consumers want cheap prices, companies want big profits and the people who suffer are those who are too poor to argue. Do your homework and try to buy as many FairTrade products as you can. Look for the logo and get information from The FairTrade Foundation.