Congress Has Only Now Banned Slave Labor in US Imports

[yuiyoshida]

 Congress just passed legislation to close a loophole that’s allowed Americans to import slave-made goods for decades.



 In a rare moment of bipartisan unity, Congress and the president have finally reached a consensus: They agree that slavery is a bad thing.

 Lawmakers just approved a measure aimed at getting slave labor out of free trade. The legislation—passed not a day too soon, even by Washington standards—closes a loophole in trade laws that had for decades quietly permitted the exploitation of forced labor in supply chains of imports. The 1930 Tariff Act, which generally barred imports that regulators determined were made with enslaved, coerced, or child labor, allowed a glaring exemption for products that were needed to meet US consumer demands. Reflecting America’s peculiar market exceptionalism, the policy explicitly prioritized the “rights” Americans to unbridled consumption, over the human rights of people in bondage abroad, as long as they were producing something we really, really wanted.

 Over time, this exemption has effectively been broadened to facilitate the import of goods ranging from seafood to sneakers, one of many obstacles to government oversight over exporters profiting directly or indirectly from coerced labor.

 The reform follows critical reports exposing systemic labor violations, including enslavement, in major export industries—particularly complaints about migrant-labor trafficking on Southeast Asian fishing vessels raised by officials, labor organizations, and international media. Tucked into a trade bill the president is expected to sign soon, the provision empowers Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) to block incoming shipments of goods tied to forced labor. The task of investigating firms linked to forced labor would be handled by the Department of Homeland Security. According to the Associated Press, Homeland Security agents in 46 countries would be charged with monitoring supply chains.

http://www.thenation.com/article/finally-a-ban-on-slavery/

[monicaangela]

1. I'm so happy to see that maybe congress has for the moment

Come to their senses. I truly hope they won't stop here, but will go so far as to end slavery in our prison system. We need to amend the 13th amendment to the constitution.

What is the 13th Amendment?


“Section 1. Neither slavery nor involuntary servitude, except as a punishment for crime whereof the party shall have been duly convicted, shall exist within the United States, or any place subject to their jurisdiction.


Section 2. Congress shall have power to enforce this article by appropriate legislation.”

The 13th Amendment declares slavery as illegal; in addition, forced servitude is also deemed to be illegal – this Amendment is regarded as the finalization of the abolishment of slavery


The 13th Amendment illustrates the distinction(s) between servitude, slavery, and consensual labor; forced labor is any type of labor that takes place through the implementation of threat(s), physically restraint of an individual with regard to the proliferation of labor, exploitative or blackmail –based activity in order to continue labor, and the implementation of fear in order to solidify servitude


‘Debt-servitude’ – or servitude implemented in order to force the repayment of debt is considered unconstitutional within the stipulations set forth within the 13th Amendment.

We still have virtual slavery in our prisons where inmates make 3 dollars a week sometimes for their labor. We need to correct this situation, if we don't, we really haven't gotten rid of slavery.

[GoneFishin]

2. They'll find a way to dilute it's impact under the TPP secret kangaroo court provisions.

[MattSh]

3. Have no doubt...

that they already have a loophole big enough to steer the Titanic through.

Because if slavery is good for big business, it will not be regulated.

[Snarkoleptic]

4. I wonder where Hillary's campaign manager stood on this legislation.

I'm thinking he was on the wrong side....
http://www.democraticunderground.com/12511310239

[Dragonfli]

5. Podesta will be sooo pissed!

http://www.democraticunderground.com/12511310239

[arcane1]

6. There's baby steps, and there's micro-baby steps. n/t

[truedelphi]

7. yuiyoshida - thank you for letting us know about this.

I have such a hard time accepting that everyone hates slavery,yet all of us have a cell phone or two. And cell phones are just the tip of the ice berg.

So much of our electronics gear is made in these sweat shops across the globe.

I certainly hope this was not put through the Congress, with their all knowing that once the TPP is in place, that it won't matter one bit.