Here’s your must-read of the day.

After my reading of books detailing modern day slavery in Florida and the abuse of workers in the forests of our country (including Tomatoland; Days of Destruction, Days of Revolt), and after the latest of too many horror stories, this one from Bangladesh, I am wondering how I can make sure that I support decent treatment of workers with my purchasing habits.  There may be some products for which that is practically impossible.  But in many cases, it is possible to know…

So, I appreciated this article today on the Daily Beast:  How Can Consumers Tell if a Company Is Socially Responsible Abroad? by Amy Hall.

Here is a paragraph on “the problem” –

When tragedies like this happen, we are tempted to point fingers at those we think are responsible parties. To the government that should enforce its own laws. To the brands who should invest more deeply in their supplier factories. To the consumers who buy their wares. We are all guilty on some level. We are all connected. We are all reminded that we must deepen our commitment to ending such inequities going forward…

And, here is her “solution” starter –

As consumers, we may not be able to change our shopping habits overnight, but raising our level of awareness about what we are buying is a start. Looking for the cheap price does not support living wages and safe workplaces. Buying less, while buying responsibly, does. Not sure where to shop? Look for certified B corporations and certified Fair Trade products. Follow sites like GreenAmerica.org and GoodGuide.com for impartial guidance about which brands to support and which to avoid. Speak to store associates and read brand websites. Do they list their suppliers? Do they have a human rights policy that includes training and capacity building? If all else fails, listen to your gut. It never lies.

And, of course, it really should start here:  we need a generation of leaders committed to the fair and just treatment of all employees, full time or “contract,” whether in their headquarters, or in their factories or fields far, far away.  Any leader who supports unjust treatment of any worker, whether intentionally or out of ignorance and or neglect, should lose his or her leader’s license, don’t you think?

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Here’s the link to GoodGuide.  It might be a good place to start…