Shopping with a conscience

By: Leonie Barrie - 2 December 2008 17:44

For those of you who will be giving Christmas presents this year, how about shopping with a conscience?

A new guide lists sweatshop-free options for consumers who want to purchase men’s, women’s and baby wear, coats, T-shirts, footwear and even sports equipment which have all been made under ethical conditions.

Produced by SweatFree Communities and the International Labor Rights Forum, the 2009 Shop with a Conscience Consumer Guide lists retailers and wholesalers who have been vetted to ensure their products meet sweatfree criteria – which include safe working conditions, living wages and good benefits for workers, unions or worker-owned cooperatives. The companies even list the sources of their products.

A great way to give gifts – and also support those firms who care where their merchandise comes from.