The rapid growth of globalisation has drawn millions of women into employment in the global South; in farms and factories worldwide women are manufacturing products for our consumption. These jobs should be a source of security, support and income to provide a better quality of life for workers and their families. However, corporate greed, supermarket powers and a cover up for the unaware consumers, means that workers are being denied a fair share of benefits brought about by globalisation, resulting in those most vulnerable being exploited for the products that fill our fridges and wardrobes.

Global supply chains exploit the circumstances of vulnerable people; it is the goal of global employment strategies and producers to find the cheapest product, the cheapest land and most importantly cheapest, most dispensable labour force.

As European consumers we are a catalyst in global supply chains. U.K supermarkets compete in price wars to get us through the doors to boost their billion pound annual profits. The increasing buying power of supermarkets directly affects pricing and working conditions in producer countries. Pressure from retailers results in low prices and tougher standards being forced on local fruit farmers which is passed on in low wages and precarious employment for the most vulnerable.

As part of a growing global economy it is our role and right as consumers to raise awareness and campaign in solidarity for change, equality and for the rights and livelihoods of women workers. By working from both ends of supply chains, workers and consumers can pressure the corporate powers into changing the way goods are bought and sold, whilst training workers and managers in countries in the global South in their rights and empower them to organise.