Business and social responsibility

This week I wanted to blog on social responsibility.  When we think about sustainability we often think about things like: Is it organic? Can we recycle it? Where did it come from (in terms of travel miles)? How much waste was created producing it? However, what is equally important is the human side.  Does the product come from a business that shows social responsibility? Does the business look after their staff and allow them to meet the
9 fundamental human needs by Max Neef? Does it exhibit other social responsibilities like volunteering, charity support and philanthropy?    Equally important to this, is that the business you work in/on/for or own also has this strong sense of social responsibility.  

Image source

This link shows a short video clip of the slave labour often employed in food production.  Its based in USA but when I think of New Zealand, unless things have changed drastically from the 1990's when I last had any primary contact with this industry, it may be not so different here. Clothing production worldwide will be similar.  

Now I know you are wondering what this has to do with the Animal Care Industry.  Well many of our products are imported from overseas where we have little idea of the production company and their practices around human resource management.  What I am suggesting is that it is time we found out by starting to ask questions.  

Food for thought?  I look forward to your comments.