Fair Trade Blog

Toy companies have pushed production offshore to boost profits, but at the cost of children’s safety, according to a new report just released by Public Citizen — a non-profit watchdog group.  Titled Santa’s Sweatshop: Made in D.C. with Bad Trade Policy, the report details the root causes of the current toy safety crisis.

The findings are not in the least surprising in light of the headline-grabbing fact of 120 toy recalls this year, but it is shocking in it’s details.   In blind pursuit of the bottom line, toy manufacturers have shifted production since 1970 until 87 percent of toys sold in the U.S. are now manufactured overseas.  In that time frame, toy company profits have risen by 1,750 percent and CEO salaries have risen to 500 times what remining US toy workers earn.  Toy recalls jumped by 224 percent this year.  

Oversight has been thrown out the window along with concern for safety.  Mattel was caught in one of the largest recalls this fall because it simply was not paying attention to the products it was sourcing in China for it’s multiple lines of toys.  The use of lead paint by Chinese manufacturers resulted in the recall of millions of  Mattel’s toys. 

Neither is the federal government working for more oversight.  ”Congress has outsourced its oversight of trade and safety policy to President Bush and developing nations’ inadequate safety systems, both of which have proved either unwilling or unable to protect kids safety,” said Public Citizen President Joan Claybrook.

Thankfully, there is a modest, but growing alternative to Santa’s sweatshops overseas — Fair Trade.   If you are looking for the latest X-box so that your kids can play video games, we have not come that far yet.  But if you appreciate simple toys that are safe and fairly produced, our shop, and others like it, are a great alternative.  

It’s easier than ever to pass up sweatshop toys in favor of sustainably made goods.  Beyond using the power of your purse, you can help by pushing for trade policies that make all trade more fair and responsible.  

Keeping shopping your good values! 

Kile