Editor’s note: Karen Stauss is the Director of Programs at Free the Slaves. Here, she responds to the passage of the California Supply Chain Transparency Act (SB 657), signed into law today by Governor Schwarzenegger.
“We commend Governor Schwarzeneggar for signing into law the most rigorous state law requirement of transparency about slavery in companies’ supply chains. Consumers can now make the choice to buy products from companies that are seriously looking into whether the products they make and sell depend on slave labor. This is ground-breaking. We’re honored to work in a coalition with the lead advocates for this legislation. With this signing, two balls are thrown out: one ball is in the court of companies in California, to see which ones rise to this challenge. The other ball is in the court of everyday American consumers. This law will have an impact on slavery when informed buyers demand slave-free products. We can hold companies accountable with our wallets.”
