Modern Slavery

When many people hear the word "slavery," the first reference they think of is African American slavery during the 1800's in America. Although the Emancipation Proclamation has been addressed and the 13th amendment has been added to the constitution, slavery still exists in our world today. 

In many communist and third world countries across the globe, there are many people who are forced to work and labor in a modern day slavery. When I think of modern slavery, I think of China. In the United States everything we own seems to have a "Made In China," sticker somewhere on it. Most of our imported goods come from China which are made by migrant workers.

Today, there are approximately 136 million migrant workers in China. On average migrants work 12 hours a day, 26 days a month. Living conditions are poor with up to six people sharing small, cramped bedrooms. Factory conditions are dangerous, and basic health and safety protections are rarely provided to workers. Many thousands of workers die every year as a result of contracting some kind of disease at work.

If this doesn't seem  like modern slavery, then I don't know what is. These people are forced to work for little to no pay, for long hours, to try to make a living for their families and themselves. All this labor and hardship, for what? The next "My Little Pony," horse or a "Nerf," football. We are forcing people to work for us who have nothing, to make us the things we take for granted.