17 votes

Sen. Hawley introduces bill to fine American companies relying on Chinese slave labor

7 comments

  1. [7]
    monarda
    Link
    I wonder if this would apply to the prison slave labor here in the US?

    The Slave-Free Business Certification Act would require every American business that takes in over $500 million worldwide to conduct audits and have CEOs certify to the U.S. Department of Labor that their companies are not using slave labor in their supply chains, in addition to publishing a report of the company’s efforts to ensure their supply chains are free of forced labor. The bill would also allow the Labor Secretary to fine companies up to $500 million for failing to comply.

    I wonder if this would apply to the prison slave labor here in the US?

    9 votes
    1. [6]
      Nivlak
      Link Parent
      Wouldn’t they have to update the amendment to even touch the prison slave law?

      Wouldn’t they have to update the amendment to even touch the prison slave law?

      2 votes
      1. PendingKetchup
        Link Parent
        Congress can prohibit things that the constitution does not.

        Congress can prohibit things that the constitution does not.

        6 votes
      2. [4]
        monarda
        Link Parent
        I don't know the answer to this. I found it interesting that though the title says China, the bit quoted just talks about slave labor in general.

        I don't know the answer to this. I found it interesting that though the title says China, the bit quoted just talks about slave labor in general.

        2 votes
        1. [3]
          Micycle_the_Bichael
          Link Parent
          I think we'll have to wait to see more of the bill and see how other news sources talk about it. The only articles I can find on the bill so far are from mildly-to-heavily right-wing sources so...

          I think we'll have to wait to see more of the bill and see how other news sources talk about it. The only articles I can find on the bill so far are from mildly-to-heavily right-wing sources so its hard to say right now what the actual end result will be. Given that Hawley is the Senator who proposed the bill and given his history, I'm going to go ahead and guess his focus is completely on China (and likely any other country he feels like) but will exclude investigating use of slave labor in the US. That said, my guess is purely speculation based on the priorities of the GOP and Hawley's record as AG and other bills he's written while in the Senate and I'm happy to change my views once more info is available.

          3 votes
          1. [2]
            monarda
            Link Parent
            I don't want to agree with you, but I do. And though I would like to see the bill address American slave labor (and quietly hopes it does), addressing any slavery is a good thing. Like you I'll...

            I don't want to agree with you, but I do. And though I would like to see the bill address American slave labor (and quietly hopes it does), addressing any slavery is a good thing. Like you I'll wait and see the wording of the bill.

            2 votes
            1. Micycle_the_Bichael
              Link Parent
              It’s one of the times where politics feels very tricky. On the one hand, slave labor is bad and yeah we should find ways to ban companies from using slave labor here or abroad. On the other, I...

              It’s one of the times where politics feels very tricky. On the one hand, slave labor is bad and yeah we should find ways to ban companies from using slave labor here or abroad. On the other, I have so little trust in the GOP based on how selectively they apply those standards and just in general how bad they are that I’m sitting here staring at an anti-slave-labor bill waiting for the other shoe to drop on how it’s actually going to be used to help the rich, hurt the poor, or be racist/xenophobic.

              5 votes