Edmund Rice Justice Bulletin

A bulletin of news, information and invitation to action on current issues of social justice for members of the Edmund Rice Network

24 October 2013

DAVID JONES AND UZBEKISTAN COTTON 

Uzbekistan is the sixth largest global producer of cotton, however cotton from Uzbekistan is produced using forced labour and child labour.

The Justice and international Mission of the Uniting Church has been conducting a campaign urging retailers in Australia to publicly commit to take steps to ensure they are not selling products made with Uzbekistan cotton.

The large David Jones retail chain has been the target of a letter-writing and email campaign for several months with little apparent effect. However the strategy of asking supporters to place the following post 'Dear David Jones, it’s time to cotton on. I need you to publicly commit to making sure David Jones products don’t use Uzbekistani cotton – cotton that is produced using child and forced labour. Thank you.' on the David Jones Facebook page  has prompted a response. A further indication of the effectiveness of advocacy.

# posted by Unknown @ 11:54 pm

About this site

This blogsite had its origin as a means of linking students from Christian Brothers Schools in Victoria, Australia who attended the Social Justice days I organised or who participated in school retreats I helped facilitate.

It arose from a belief that as well as charity, advocacy for human rights can also be a compassionate response for those who experience injustice and deprivation. In other words we can address root causes rather than just symptoms.

After moving to Geneva to take up a position with Edmund Rice International (ERI) I decided to maintain the bulletin with its expanded mailing list but to give it an added focus linking it with the work of ERI

Brian Bond cfc

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