This bill is unprecedented and reflects a prevailing public dissatisfaction with the current NAFTA/CAFTA style trade model that has failed to meet the promise of improved working conditions for workers in Mexico and Central America who continue to flock to the United States by the thousands each year in search of decent jobs. This bill does not denounce trade generally, but calls for a more fair approach to negotiating deals that have shown to be unfair. After seeing the blockage of the Colombia FTA and now the introduction of the TRADE Act, those of us who advocate for a fair trade over a free trade model, are finally seeing a glimmer of hope.

Ambassador Lagon gave a brief example of a Burmese woman who was
recruited to work in a shrimp factory in a neighboring country together
with 800 other Burmese citizens.  The factory was located in the middle
of a jungle where workers were prevented to leave or call their
families.  On top of the horrendous conditions, she wasn’t getting paid
for her labor.  Workers that tried to escape were hunted down, beaten
and humiliated in front of other workers.  This is just one horrifying
story out of the many forced labor camps around the world.  Many
illnesses of the workers are more often than not left untreated.

The document also identifies strategies that governments and
citizens can employ to eliminate incentives for irresponsible corporate
behavior and promote humane business standards. Government strategies
include proper allocation of funding with regards to zoning, research,
economic preservation, and labor rights. Citizen strategies include
organizing to lobby local, state, and federal government to adhere by
fair practices as well as promote education about the rights of
citizens in controlling corporate behavior. The consensus will be
delivered to officials of all major big box retail corporations and
will function as framework to define and guide the broad-based civil
society movement looking to transform the industry.

This video features interviews with two child laborers on a
rubber plantation in Liberia operated by the Firestone tire company.
Workers have to meet a daily production quota which is too high for one
person to achieve or their low wages are halved. As a result, workers
are forced to bring their children to work.

For more information about Firestone and to get involved in the campaign, please visit www.StopFirestone.org -- and most importantly, send an e-mail to Firestone by clicking here!