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ECCJ in EU Observer: This ‘Black Friday’ is a turning point in corporate accountability
The discounts can be tempting, but there are hidden costs for people and the planet behind every ‘too good to be true’ price tag.
Some retailers like Amazon have been running promotions since the start of November to drum up sales for the holiday season. Others are eagerly awaiting this weekend’s shopping bonanza.
But Black Friday deals are not always as innocent as they look – and that’s not only because of the creative marketing that many retailers use to mislead shoppers.
This strange import from across the Atlantic has another dark side: it is totally incompatible with workers’ rights and our efforts to mitigate the climate crisis. Why? Because in the corporate race for sky-high profits, nothing matters as much as making products as cheaply as possible.
Farmers say Ferrero does not pay a fair price for hazelnuts that end up in our favourite treats.
Powerful electronic devices and shimmery cosmetics contain a mineral called mica, which is sourced from mines where child labour is rife.
And while no one wants their festive jumpers to be tainted with abuses, five brands, including C&A and Hugo Boss, are currently under fire in Germany for allegedly benefitting from forced Uyghur labour in China’s Xinjiang region.
