Victoria’s Secret Revealed in Child Picking Burkina Faso Cotton

[TheMythOfSisyphus]

I don't make fun of you, I just pick a little fun at you. Don't take it too personal, ask Laz, I make fun of him all the time. I do it because I love you guys so much. <3 Do you see the little heart? That is evidence of my love for you all.

[KRIM_TACTIKS]

Heres a pre-generated email they send out to cats who email them about their shady trade practices.

Thank you for your email. Please be advised that Victoria’s Secret, along with it’s sister divisions (other companies owned by Limited Brands), do not condone use of substandard working conditions or “sweatshops” to manufacture our products. Limited Brands, of which Victoria’s Secret is a division, carefully screens its vendors so we can insure our customers are receiving quality merchandise that is manufactured by legal and reputable vendors.

We expect our suppliers to comply with all applicable laws, regulations and industry standards. We also expect our suppliers and subcontractors to:
Promote an environment of dignity, respect and opportunity
Provide safe and healthy working conditions
Offer fair compensation through wages and other benefits
Hire workers of legal age, who accept employment on a voluntary basis
Maintain reasonable work hours
Please be assured that if our vendors fail to agree with the above principles, we will, as we have in the past, cancel orders, terminate our business relationships and notify the responsible authorities.

We assure you that we do not manufacture our products in "sweatshops".

If you need further assistance, please reply to this email or call anytime.

Thank you for your interest in Victoria’s Secret.

[cleef]

(12-21-2011 05:04 AM)NikkiC713 Wrote:  soo I'm guessing most of you are against the whole "child labor" thing right?
Well I read this article & it basically said, would you rather have a child laboring for minimum wage (in their country--not the 7.25 here) or have them sexually exposed. It wasn't in reference to Africa but to the Middle East, were the sex trade is big. Anyways it made a lot of good points and after some research I came to the conclusion, where I myself would rather be getting paid shit then have some nasty old men have his way with me.

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heres the article: http://www.cato.org/pub_display.php?pub_id=3621
If you wanna read about it & research it on your own.

Really? Where abouts Nikki i missed that?

I thought it was basically saying how fair trade certification is a load of shit...people trying to shop ethically but being tricked by companies which care more about profit than people.

Reminds me a bit of how companies put on their products that they aren't tested on animals. The deceving part being that; No the final product is not tested on animals but the ingredients are

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(12-21-2011 03:19 PM)KRIM_TACTIKS Wrote:  We expect our suppliers to comply with all applicable laws, regulations and industry standards.

Key word here being expect

[1871]

The Fair Trade idea is, in principle, a good idea. The point is how well it is policed and monitored - and that has to be improved, obviously. If companies stop trading with, or change their practices in dealing with exploitative producers that's a good thing. I doubt whether its easy for companies based in one part of the world to be entirely aware of bad practices in another - hence the usefulness of such journalism - but if they sign to a policy they need to ensure it is policed better - so there's room for improvement - but little alternative. The point though is to raise this awareness so companies source from suppliers following a guideline - one obviously that doesn't include child labour. The Fair Trade idea is a step in the right direction but they need regular monitors.

The answer of course is to have a statutory full time body of enforcement officers ensuring that legislation is kept to - which sets down conditions for suppliers and those sourcing companies, so that any company when it signs up will know that they are signing up to a scheme that is monitored and verified. Relocate finances from an over inflated military budget and it would be easy both to fund and implement such a scheme.

[cleef]

I'm wondering what sort of cut Fairtrade makes on the products sold with their certification

"In 2008, sales of Fairtrade topped £700 million". This could be a major factor in why they are so relaxed on certification? I mean after all if they are dealing with huge corporations they're obviously imposing a certain view on what is fair. I doubt the workers really have a say as to what the rules of fair trade should be

[1871]

Not sure about that. I thought it was a non profit scheme where revenues went to encouraging trade and supporting local schemes. The Adam Smith Institute criticised it for 'distorting market values' and there's been some debate on its efficacy or how it could work better -but the co-operative/good intentions are there. Fairtrade related products run into billions. That's a good thing as long as it is monitored. Responsibility also lies with Burkina Fasos government - but I think its a structural problem in making it work rather than a deliberate attempt - simply because there's no need for companies to sign up for Fairtrade - no market reason either - especially as the products of the companies signing up become more expensive. If you are running a company in the States then you rely on suppliers to assure you that the materials are sourced fairly if you are part of that scheme. Also there could be some advantages (eg: investment schemes/project investment, etc) to encourage Governments to comply by introducing their own legislation - again, Burkina Faso has a massive police/military force and it is ultimately responsible for implementing child labour laws in its own country - but it could be encouraged in that direction.
Fairtade could do more, but it has done a massive amount to improve things - but it also needs closer Government co-operation between states.The co-operative idea is sound but it needs better implementation and co-ordination - and greater involvement. How many products on supermarket shelves are Fairtrade products? What's the alternative to trading fairly?

[Funsized]

Where abouts what?

[Rev]

Why are you people even surprised? it aint like ya dont wear Nike,adidas,rebook,jordans etc etc etc so let's all shut the fuck up and kiss each other
Krim and midnight i want em both jijij
oh shit my bad

[1871]

(12-22-2011 12:49 AM)Rev.. Wrote:  Why are you people even surprised? it aint like ya dont wear Nike,adidas,rebook,jordans etc etc etc so let's all shut the fuck up and kiss each other
Krim and midnight i want em both jijij
oh shit my bad

[shakur420]

^Only thing I would say, those are really good points you brought up man, is my suspicion the last few years about companies seeing the profitability of things like "going green" or having "fair trade" products. It's not like it use to be, people are starting to look for that shit a lot more. Just like "organic" shit. lol, there's even a 30 Rock storyline about this. There is also regulation and stuff too that's pushing it along. Like I just found out today that there's a ban going into effect in 2 years in Ontario on incandescent light bulbs, whatever the fuck those are, lol. I've been involved in discussions in my own company about this, there's been a huge surge in this kind of stuff in the food industry the last decade. Organic, free range, fair trade, sustainable stuff. Everything from animals to produce to "bio-pack" containers. And people are buying it. They're not necessarily boycotting companies that don't do this shit, but if I had to pick one of the biggest trends in the foodservice industry for the last 5, 6 years, it would be sustainable and organic products. When big chefs and companies are getting into it - and making a profit - I think it's a sign that there is a "market reason" to have your company involved in things like this. "Green" or "fair trade" or whatever. Obviously, I don't think it's as profitable as child labor, like sales of your fair trade stuff aren't that high, but I'm convinced that it's been increasing. lol, though I don't really have anything to back it up, other than the shit I pointed out, it's just an unresearched opinion.

p.s. lol, don't forget to remind the Adam Smith Institue that everything distorts the market. HAHA

[Asshole]

adidas is the way to go no doubt

[cleef]

I see your point 71, but why should a company be forced to sign up to fairtrade to be able to run a business in the third world. To some extent im sure businesses which dont agree with the way fairtrade is organised are harmed by not signing up.

I agree with the principle but it is western values being imposed on other nations which may not share the same values

The only way i see it working is if the people in those communities have autonomous control over what they consider fair