12 June is a big day on the 2010 calendar. Lots of soccer fans are excited because that’s the start of the FIFA World Cup finals. But it’s also the World Day Against Child Labour. As this day approaches, you can take action to help ensure child labour is not being used in the production of sports balls.
Over the last 10 years, international scrutiny of supply chains and labour conditions in India's soccer ball export industry has had some positive results. In Jalandhar, most children World Vision staff witnessed stitching balls did so after school or on weekends to supplement their family’s income, so they can still attend school.
But though the situation in Jalandhar looked promising, we still need to keep our eye on the ball. Find out why in our story Kicking the child labour out of soccer balls.
The women and girls of Meerut are not so lucky. Not yet. In this city, where India’s domestic soccer ball industry is based, it seems many girls miss out on an education, staying home to stitch soccer balls for pitiful returns – as little as 7 cents a ball.
World Vision is calling on Australian consumers and all sports goods manufacturers to consider their next step. Big brands must know that their supply chains are transparent, traceable and independently variable, free from all forms of labour exploitation.
Otherwise, it’s just not fair play.
So: let’s keep our eye on the ball!