The Uighur Forced Labor Prevention Act would require companies sending goods to the United States to scrutinize supply chains, or perhaps abandon Chinese suppliers altogether, if those products were found to be made by the forced labor of Uighurs. It would impose high standards, barring imports of goods made “in whole or in part” in Xinjiang unless companies prove to customs officials that their products were not made with forced labor.
Sadly, Apple, Nike, and Coca-cola, among others, are fighting the passage of this bill in the Senate (it's already passed in the House). This is beyond gross; if you're unaware of how atrociously the Uighurs are treated in China this is a good place to start. And this editorial from the Guardian reminds us why ALL of us must speak out.
LET’S ACT:
1) I just contacted Apple at 408-996-1010 asked to make a comment about their manufacturing policy, and got through to a woman who took my comment. I basically said:
"I read in the New York Times that Apple is fighting the passage of the Uighur Forced Labor Prevention Act, a bill that would ensure that forced Uighur labor isn't used in the making of parts you buy. That's gross, and I will absolutely stop buying your products if you continue to obstruct the bill's passage. Please pass this message along to leadership. Thanks."
I then sent that message here as well.
2) I then did the same with Nike. I called 800-344-6453, then pressed 2, then 6. I did get through to a person. I said:
“I read in the New York Times that Nike is fighting the passage of the Uighur Forced Labor Prevention Act, a bill that would ensure that forced Uighur labor isn't used in the making of materials your company buys. That's gross, and I will absolutely stop buying Nike products if your company continues to obstruct the bill's passage. I will also be sharing this on social media. Please pass this message along to leadership. Thanks.”
3) I then did the same with Coca Cola. I called 800-438-2653 then pressed 5. Once again I got through to a person. I said:
“I read in the New York Times that Coca-Cola is fighting the passage of the Uighur Forced Labor Prevention Act, a bill that would ensure that forced Uighur labor isn't used in the making of sugar your company buys. That's gross, and I will absolutely stop buying Coca-Cola products if your company continues to obstruct the bill's passage. I will also be sharing this on social media. Please pass this message along to leadership. Thanks.”
4) Call your Senators and demand they support the Uighur Forced Labor Prevention Act. Just say that. 202-224-3121 or look up your reps here: https://whoaremyrepresentatives.org
5) Finally please tweet this or post everything highlighted below on FB:
Appalling. @nikestore @CocaCola @Apple are fighting passage of a bill to ensure China doesn't use forced Uighur labor to make their products. Here’s a doc w actions to put pressure on them to knock it off. https://bit.ly/badlook
You can also take the comments from numbers 1-3 and post them on these companies’ FB pages.