I really enjoyed the recent issue focusing on "Government that benefits everyone" [May 2004], particularly Richard A. Nenneman's article, "Humanity at the crossroads" [p.12]. In it he asks, "What about the worker abroad who is working under conditions that we would call intolerable, but which we have no direct power to change?" I would suggest that in some cases we do have direct power to improve the lives of such workers, through the choices we make as consumers.
Ethical consumerism can involve avoiding products made by companies known to use sweatshop labour. It can also include positive choices, such as the purchase of Fair Trade goods. These are products such as food and clothing sold by companies that guarantee to pay the producer a fair price, and which also ensure that the workers and their children receive education and healthcare and are not exposed to dangerous working practices.
To me, trying to be a more ethical consumer is one way I can make a difference and connect with the wider world. For more information, your readers can visit www.fairtrade.org.uk, www.fairtradefederation.org and www.ethicalconsumer.org.
