Sweatshop Information, Reflection and Action Packet

Applying the Pastoral Circle to Sweatshops

A. Experience

1. Look around the room you are in at this moment and focus on three items: clothing you are wearing, a computer component, a piece of furniture, etc.
2. Where was each item purchased (if you know): retail store, mail order catalog, online store?
3. Does the item indicate where it or its component parts wre made or assembled?
4. What information might have been available at the time of purchase as to where and under what conditions the item was produced?

B. Social analysis

Using the resources in this packet, such as the list of companies and questions to ask companies, the list of organizations, the reports or videos, and/or the list of websites, see if you can find answers to the following questions:
1. What company manufactured the item?
2. Is the company part of a larger corporate entity or an independent firm?
3. Where does the parent company have its office headquarters? Who are its leading officers (e.g. CEO, president)?
4. Does the company provide publically available information about where and under what conditions the product in question is made? If not, what is the official reason for not revealing this information?
5. Is there available information about where and under what conditions products of this type (e.g., clothing, toys, electronic components) are made?

C. Theological reflection

1. Choose one or two scripture passages from the list on page 20. Read the passage with as much sense as you can about the context in which the passage was written. For example, was it written to support oppressed persons, to call the privileged elite to act more justly, or to anyone “with ears to hear”?
2. Also read one of the two statements of Catholic Social Teaching included in this packet. Select one or two principles which seem to speak to the situation of sweatshops or worker justice.
3. Reflect alone or with others on how these readings shed light on the experience and social analysis you did above. Is there any specific response to which you feel called thus far in response to your analysis and reflection?

 

D. Pastoral planning

if you found that an item on which you focused was produced under sweatshop or other unjust conditions, consider one of the following next steps:
1. Write a letter to the parent company using one of the samples in this packet.
2. Write to your local, state or federal government representative to urge legislation and government purchasing policies which are grounded in just working conditions and wages.
3. Before you make your next purchase of an item of this type, find out if and where options exist for buying alternatives which were produced justly.
4. Consider inviting a speaker, using this packet, or holding a meeting in your parish, school or community to widen the circcle of care and concern.
5. See the list of actions found on page 33.

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