Jesus came that we might have life and have it abundantly. And yet over 12.3 million people work in conditions of forced labor around the world according to the International Labour Organisation. Some of those people are enslaved here in the United States.
The Coalition of Immokalee Workers has been on the forefront of preventing and addressing human trafficking through their Campaign for Fair Food and specific anti-slavery efforts in partnership with the U.S. Department of Justice and FBI. For its work, the CIW’s anti-slavery coordinator was named the first U.S.-based anti-slavery hero by the U.S. Department of State in 2010.
The CIW’s Fair Food Program, which is supported by nine corporations and over 90 percent of Florida growers has begun to deliver new rights to Florida farmworkers, by ending the exploitation in which modern slavery flourishes. And yet most of the supermarket industry has yet to support these advances.
Today, January 11th, is human trafficking awareness day. And President Obama has proclaimed January 2012 National Slavery and Human Trafficking Prevention Month. Take a moment to send an email to CEOs of grocery corporations that are not yet supporting the Fair Food Program and its critical work to prevent and address modern slavery and exploitation, and urge them to sign a fair food agreement with the CIW without delay.
And pray for trafficked persons, those who traffic others, and the church’s efforts together with our mission partners, including the CIW, to prevent and end human trafficking. Visit the Human Trafficking website for further worship, education and action resources.
Peace,
PC(USA) Campaign for Fair Food
