Unmanned, unaudited and undiscovered
Children young as eleven and twelve
Work their tiny nimble fingers
Stitching richly embellished garments
Ordered by Western Society
In greed of saving a few pounds
Is this the fair trade society
Chain-stores supposed to have checked out
Work sent to Pakistan, Bangladesh and India
By multi billion pound industry
Shamed again by audited traced tracking
Through ethical sourcing records
And when we the customer purchase
Are we guilty for not knowing
That another Child Slave Labor incident
Remains uncovered in New Delhi
That another sweat shop
Buys children in to work from parents
A child beads its perspiration
To another garment
Knowing by doing so he will
Meet Company Deadlines
Forgo another Beating
And have a Roof to Sleep on
What right have we to profit
These despicable companies (sub-contracting)
Who allow the youngsters of any Nation
To be treat in such manner
To work in squalid conditions
And thrive from a child’s blood sweat hands
Suzanne German
Moving, true and tragic….centuries pass, and we think that the abolishment of child labour in some countries means it is all o.k…...how far from the truth..!
Children are so precious, so vulnerbale and depend on adults around them, in so many cases they are the ones that are abusing them.
So much change is needed and not soon enough!
Suzanne
anaisnais
How true Suzanne, and thanks for commenting. It is only by making a stand and letting opinion/voices be heard that action will follow. Of course the ball starts with each of us, for it is often our penny pinching pockets that encourage these greedy companies to look out for their profits and take on these companies abroad; often unaware that the production chain is as such; or maybe they just don’t care at all?
Suzanne German
anaisnais….so right what you’re saying, and raising peoples’ awareness is certainly a good thing! (Although a lot more needs to be done).
anaisnais in reply to Suzanne German’s comment
Thank you, a poet has a place in society where they can touch others peoples hearts and minds in ways news reports can’t… If we can reach just one person and bring them to safety or equality in life then our works have been worth while. Of course much needs be done and we merely scratch at a surface. Thanks for stopping by to comment. ;-D
quietconflict
True all of it….
anaisnais in reply to quietconflict’s comment
Thanks for troubling to comment. ;-D
amarica
Congratulations on being featured in the All Things Poetic, Artistic, Philosophical group!!!
anaisnais in reply to amarica’s comment
Aaaawww, many thanks sweetie…it would be great to touch a fat cats coscience…..
Suzanne German
anaisnais….just reading the news headlines today here in the UK….and for the last few days…shocking, scandalous and everybody’s passing the buck….nobody want sto own responsibility….and one individual who was determined to get thaqt little baby out of there, was told by a lawyer that she couldn’t…..six months before the tragedy took place….what a disgrace….really makes my heart sad…
but….like you say, in our own ways in different places and times we can touch people….you are right! i could go on forever but i will stop at saying well done for writing this
and thanks!
suzanne