Use Social Media to Tell Target to Stop Forced, Child Labor in Gold

by Tim Newman · 2011-02-22 07:20:00 UTC
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The Change.org petition asking Target to do more to stop labor rights abuses in the gold it sources for jewelry has been taking off with well over 15,000 signatures. While Target's customers are demonstrating their deep concern about this issue, the company continues to remain silent. It's time to step up the pressure on Target and you can help by taking action today through Facebook and Twitter.

Abusive child labor and forced labor have been identified in gold mines all around the world. A recent report in the Guardian once again highlighted the abuse, poverty and unsafe conditions facing gold miners globally. Additionally, reports have linked gold mining to environmental destruction and even fueling conflict and human rights abuses in many places. The range of horrendous abuses that have been revealed in many gold mines from Latin America to Asia to Africa require that jewelry companies make an extra effort to ensure that suppliers are taking significant initiative to stop these abuses.

Many companies have endorsed the No Dirty Gold campaign's Golden Rules for responsible gold sourcing that including respecting international labor rights standards. However, Target has continuously refused to respond to the No Dirty Gold campaign and remained silent as Change.org readers asked for a response. Target's silence is unacceptable.

In addition to signing the Change.org petition to Target and asking your friends and family to join, you can take action today through Facebook and Twitter to tell Target to work toward eliminating forced and child labor in the gold industry.

On Facebook, go to Target's page and post a message like this: "Target, it's time to respect the Golden Rules and stop forced and child labor in your gold supply chain. http://chn.ge/hXRRXD" The more personal your message, the better.

Or on Twitter, post a message like this: "@Target: Respect the Golden Rules & stop forced, #childlabor in #gold! http://chn.ge/hXRRXD"

    We will be continuing to build the pressure on Target until this massive retail giant breaks the silence about how it will work to stop egregious labor and human rights abuses in its gold products. Our collective action has led to many similar victories before. Together, we got 1-800-Flowers to agree to better sourcing practices for workers and we even got Target to provide just compensation for workers who died in a fire at one of its Bangladeshi garment suppliers.

    Also, don't forget to follow Change.org's End Human Trafficking blog on Twitter and Facebook for updates.

    Photo credit: mag3737

    Tim Newman is a campaigns assistant at the International Labor Rights Forum. He also works on the Stop Firestone campaign.

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