Letter to the editor: Cheap goods and slavery

Notes: "Slavery is more widespread that it ever was, affecting an estimated 45 million, but it is less obvious ('CoGS hears of slavery horrors', Sept. 2017, p. 1). It comes in many guises -- human trafficking, the sex trade, child slavery (prostitution, military conscription, marriage), forced labour (farm, factory, domestic), debt bondage -- and is largely hidden. A slave is anyone forced to work without giving consent, owned or controlled by others and sold as property. Worldwide, slavery is the second-largest criminal activity behind drug trafficking. Our lifestyle and shopping habits may be contributing factors. The products and food we buy may come from slave labour. Our demand for cheap goods equals production by underpaid workers. We need laws in Canada requiring companies to identify how goods are produced. If we want to be involved in its eradication, we need to inform ourselves. We must monitor how we shop, press government to be involved and join an anti-slavery organization".

Subjects: Slavery - 21 century - Statistics; Slavery - Religious aspects - Anglican Church of Canada; Economic justice - Religious aspects - Anglican Church of Canada; Economics - Moral and ethical aspects - Canada; Consumerism - Canada; Consumerism - Religious aspects - Anglican Church of Canada