Why Sweatshop Free?
At Magic Starfish we believe that everyone has the right to good working
conditions and to be paid a living wage and that children should not be
exploited as a
source of cheap labour. We consider sweatshops to be working
environments that are difficult or dangerous to the employee due to exposure
to harmful materials, hazardous situations, extreme temperatures, or abuse
from employers. Sweatshop workers often work long hours for little pay,
regardless of any laws mandating overtime pay or a minimum wage. Child
labour laws may also be violated. Although often associated with poor
developing countries, sweatshops may exist in any country. Sweatshops have
existed in several different countries and cultures, including Australia,
the United States and Europe. Sweatshops usually employ low levels of
technology, but may produce many different goods, for example, toys, shoes,
clothing, and furniture. We would not want our family or friends working
under such conditions so we choose to purchase our base products only from
manufacturers with verified sweatshop free status.
