Act NOW! – At the moment, we are asking you to contact a Christian bookstore
Ask Word Bookstores to play a part in protecting the dignity of workers making their Christian devotional items*.

Christian retailers and suppliers are being called to work together to identify workplaces where goods are being manufactured so as to ensure that the fundamental human dignity of those who make the products are fully respected, and local workplace laws are complied with.

Word Bookstores Pty Ltd is a high-profile and successful Christian retailer involved in the selling of a range of products made in China, and other countries, where there are documented cases of gross disregard for the fundamental human dignity of working people.

Here are some examples of China made products sold at Word Bookstores:

• “Bee your Best” rubber balls set – Oriental Trading Company;
• “Confirmed in Christ” – large cross – Dayspring (company);
• “God is Love” – glow in the dark plastic cross – Fun Express (company);
• “He Lives Activity Set” – bag of pencils and pad – Oriental Trading Company;
• “Heroes of Faith” – Moses figure in rocks, “10 Commandments” – Journey ITB (company);
• “Jesus is Tops” – plastic toy top – Dicksons (company); and,
• “Veggie Tales” – Bible cover.

Just because an item is made in China does not mean it is made under gross exploitation; however, without independent verification everyone is in the dark.

The Justice & International Mission Unit of the Uniting Church in Australia has repeatedly tried to contact this company to start a dialogue about these issues; but there has been no response. In contrast, UniChurch Books and the Central Catholic Bookstore (both in Melbourne) have responded favourably.

JustHolyHardware wants to make certain that no goods made for the Victorian Christian community to celebrate and acknowledge the Christian faith have been made with violations of human dignity.

Write to Word Bookstores asking them to engage with the Justice & International Mission Unit so that the scale of the problems can be properly evaluated and some solutions can be found.

*UPDATE Dec 2009 – some good news: Word Bookstore has agreed to engage with the Justice and International Mission Unit of the Uniting Church in Australia (Synod of Victoria and Tasmania) in February 2010. They have made their purchasing policy public, and this has gone online.

When you email Word – thank them and ask them to continue their engagement with the Justice and International Mission Unit of the Uniting Church (Victoria and Tasmania).

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