1. Go to JustHolyHardware and find out about exploitation in the production of Christian gift items – and check out our Fair trade catalogue for alternative gifts this Christmas and beyond!
2. Go to the action page and ask Word Bookstores to have a conversation with the Justice and International Mission Unit (Uniting Church Vic/Tas) about improving the conditions of workers worldwide who make Christian gift and devotional items.
3. Go to Rise Up and, consider buying the cleric in your life (i.e. pastor, minister, Priest, Archbishop etc.) a Fairtrade cotton ‘dog collar’ shirt!
The Issue
God is ‘against those who oppress the hired workers in their wages, the widow and the orphan’ (Malachi 3:5)
Why holy hardware?
‘Holy hardware’ is the trade name for Christian devotional items like bible covers and crosses.
Christians have been a big part of the campaign to make trade fair, as well as supporting campaigns for the most vulnerable workers (here in Australia as well as overseas). Christian devotional items should be made under conditions that are fair.
We have just begun a campaign to ask Christian retailers, wholesalers and others, like Word and Koorong Bookstores*, to agree to get together to find some solutions to prevent exploitation in their industry.
*GOOD NEWS: Koorong has agreed to meet with the Justice and International Mission Unit and discuss how to move forward constructively on ensuring ethical standards are maintained in the production of goods sold at Koorong (update 31 July 2009).
Why Word Bookstores?
Word Bookstores is one of the biggest Christian retailers in Australia. With its roots in the old evangelistic ministry called Gospel Film Ministry Ltd (founded in Sydney), we want to remind Word that heeding the Gospel means supporting working people to be treated with dignity. We don’t think that all the gift items that Word sells are made in sweatshops, but we are concerned that items (particularly those made in China) could very well be. So we are calling on a key player in the Christian retail sector to get behind our campaign to find ways we can better the conditions of working people who make products for Christians.
Why Rise Up?
Rise Up is a ‘profit for purpose’ company that supports fair trade. Some new stock has arrived – clerical shirts (dog collar shirts) for ministers and priests (female and male versions) made with Fairtrade cotton! They are asking people in the pews (even occasional pew dwellers) to consider buying the minister or priest in their life a ‘dog collar’ shirt! This promotes Fairtrade and is an ideal Christmas gift! The people who have devoted their lives to God deserve a bit of Christian cheer with a purpose. As an added bonus these shirts are apparently a lot less itchy and scratchy in comparison to the run of the mill versions!
We know that not all clerics wear this kind of shirt – but many appreciate one in the wardrobe for ’special occasions’.
