Picture this: You’re 20 and working hard at a job you’ve had since age 14. In fact, 14-year-olds and younger work by your side. Bathroom visits must be quick or you’re physically and verbally abused. Your hours are from 8:00 am to midnight, sometimes to 3:00 am, seven days a week, with no days off. You may make $125 a month or not be paid if the factory’s goal isn’t met. You know that the building’s structure is weak but try to ignore the danger, because your family needs the income you earn. Finally, one day, it collapses, killing some workers, trapping you under rubble for twelve hours and injuring you to the point that you can’t return to that job but must find little jobs here and there, where you (and you weakened body) can.
This is Rana Plaza’s story, and the story of countless others in places where clothing is made to be sold cheaply in our Walmarts, Children’s Places, and other discount stores. In other words, the pennies that we save buying those items bring misery to children and adults in other parts of the world.
True, if we just stop buying those items people lose their livelihoods. However, we can demand safer, fairer conditions for workers by raising our voices. Walmart has to listen if we shout loud enough; they’ve had so many black eyes from their civil rights violations NOT to listen, as they’re currently trying to rebuild a more positive image.
Read Rava’s story–which mirrors millions of children’s stories–at Credo’s website. While you’re there, make your voice heard by signing the petition to Walmart and Children’s Place.