Tim Newman, Campaigns Assistant, International Labor Rights Forum

I wrote a post today for the Change.org "End Human Trafficking" blog explaining why those concerned about trafficking and labor exploitation should support the Employee Free Choice Act (EFCA).  Check it out here.  Change.org is a great social networking website for those concerned about social issues and activism.  Check it out and considering signing up!

Additionally, let's remember that Mars' plan will not cover their entire supply chain until 2020 -- even though ILRF and many other organizations have been calling on Mars to commit to Fair Trade since 2001.  However, it is interesting to note that ILRF's report on the cocoa industry released last July called on chocolate companies to work with certification agencies like Rainforest Alliance to strengthen labor standards.  We hope that Rainforest Alliance will strengthen their labor rights standards and monitoring.  You can check out a press release from ILRF and the Organic Consumers Association

While many businesses and corporations are busy waging anti-EFCA campaigns, it is important to recognize the businesses that are standing up for workers rights and supporting EFCA.  Over the last few weeks I’ve spent time talking with business owners that are featured in the Shop with a Conscience Consumer Guide about whether or not they support the Employee Free Choice Act.

Even though the Philippine government did not meet any of the human or labor rights conditions required for aid in 2008, the US Department of State provided the Philippines with the full military aid allocation for 2009. As a result of this poor decision, ILRF mobilized hundreds of prominent labor, faith and human rights organizations to call for stricter human rights conditions on US military aid to the Philippines through a sign-on letter distributed widely to US Congressional offices in February. Click here to check out the letter.