WE CARE

Why CARE?

Did you know that the making of incense is an exploitative child labor industry in the world? Throughout south Asia, and other parts of the world, children are systematically taken out of school and denied access to education in order to work long hours for manufacturers who abide by no fair labor guidelines. In India alone it is estimated that up to 100,000 children, mostly girls, are being exploited for their cheap labor in making incense, match sticks, fireworks and rugs. Often times, entire families of women and children work 12 hour days for manufacturers who profit greatly while their laborers combined wages add up to less than $2.00 a day. Far from putting food on the table, these employers are exploiting the most vulnerable people on earth and perpetuating the cycle of abject poverty.

This is not to say that Salish Winds Incense is the only incense company out there following good manufacturing policies. Many of the better brands of incense that you may be familiar with use good labor practices, and many retailers are diligent not to support incense brands made by child labor. However, despite growing awareness and efforts to eliminate poverty and child labor, this kind of labor practice remains profitable with some estimates that the child labor incense industry alone is worth 200 million dollars annually. More must and is being done.

CARE is one of several organizations working to eliminate exploitative child labor and unfair labor practices in the world.

Who is CARE?

CARE works with poor communities in more than 70 countries around the world to find lasting solutions to poverty. We look at the big picture of poverty, and go beyond the symptoms to confront underlying causes. With a broad range of programs based on empowerment, equity and sustainability, CARE seeks to tap human potential and leverage the power of individuals and communities to unleash a vast force for progress.

CARE was founded in 1945 and is one of the world’s largest private international humanitarian organizations. More than 90% of CARE’s resources support poverty fighting projects around the world – among the highest of all philanthropic organizations.
Please follow this link to CARE’s website to learn more about what they are doing.

http://www.careusa.org

Salish Winds sources for the statistics cited on this page were obtained from numerous articles and publications found on the Internet. We cannot claim knowledge of the accuracy of these statistics. If you would like to learn more about global child labor issues try a search under the heading of “child labor”. Be more specific if you want to narrow your results to a particular industry or region such as “child labor within the incense industry”. It is not Salish Winds intention to generate any propaganda or provide untruthful information. If you have information to the contrary or wish to elaborate on this subject, please write to us at contact@salishwinds.com