Ethical Christmas Shopping

Who is making your Christmas prezzies?

Using our power as consumers is one important way to push back against the exploitation of workers. Shopping ethically is one action we can take. Here are some Christmas shopping ideas that ensure the workers involved are not exploited.

Chocolate

Chocolate is a popular gift at Christmas so make sure you buy from a company that is striving for a slavery-free supply chain. Australians spent an average of AU$196.96 per capita on chocolate products last year (Australian Chocolate Consumption Statistics for 2022). But some of this chocolate is tainted by slavery and comes at the cost of a child’s health, education and sometimes his or her freedom. Much of our chocolate is made using cocoa beans harvested by children, often in the West African region. Many of these children are forced into labour. We can help change this.

Look for the FAIRTRADE or Rainforest Alliance logos. Download our Indulge Responsibly Poster x

Try buying Alter Eco, Tony’s Chocolonely, Whittaker’s and Haigh’s Chocolates. It’s fair and delicious.

Coffee and Tea

It’s so easy now to find good quality slavery-free tea and coffee in your small local or bigger supermarkets.

Again, look for the FAIRTRADE or Rainforest Alliance logos.

For more information on slavery-free tea and coffee and who is joining this movement, click here.

See our Slavery Free Kitchens page

Clothes

In 2013 the Rana Plaza in Dhaka, Bangladesh, an eight-story building collapsed, killing 1132 people and injuring 2500. Most of the dead and injured were poorly paid female garment makers, producing many of the clothes that end up in Australia. The tragedy shone a spotlight on the terrible working conditions many workers endure and since then some of the big brand companies have worked to ensure conditions have improved. Others have not.

Go to the Baptist World Aid Ethical Fashion Report and find out which of your favourite brands is working towards better conditions.

There is a standout Australian company that we should support because it is doing the right thing. ETIKO sells FAIRTRADE-certified underwear, clothes, socks and runners made by workers who are paid a living wage. ETIKO FAIRTRADE t-shirts are made using cotton produced by the Chetna Organic Cooperative, which now has 7000 members. Producers are paid a floor price for the cotton, which will not drop if the global price of cotton collapses. However, they are paid more if the price of cotton increases. The cooperative has diversified with many farmers now also growing legumes. The FAIRTRADE premium has been used to improve communities, including building toilet blocks and educational facilities.

Bonnie joined Baptist World Aid after a career in the fashion industry, which she left because of many practices she witnessed. She didn’t want to ‘contribute to a broken system that exploits people, it exploits the planet and ultimately relies on convincing people that they constantly need more’.

Bonnie and Nick urged people to think about their Christmas purchases and, where possible, buy from companies that are working to improve conditions for workers and the environment.

Click here to listen to the 30-minute online ACRATH Conversation, Placing the person at the centre of our Christmas shopping.

ACRATH Calendar for 2025

We are excited to announce that the much-loved ACRATH calendar is now available for order, and this year’s edition is particularly special as we celebrate 20 years of ACRATH in 2025.

Since its inception, the ACRATH calendar has become a welcome addition to offices, homes, tea rooms, and classrooms alike. This commemorative edition honours our history and significant milestones. Featuring quotes from our founders, including Louise Cleary csb, who remarked, “ACRATH has played a leading role in prosecuting the case of unjust and exploitative practices in relation to migrant workers and contributing to improvements to the visa regime,” this calendar underscores our ongoing mission and achievements.

Click here to place your order today and become part of ACRATH’s work and future. Each month, the calendar spotlights our essential work, highlights campaigns to join, and provides clear calls to action. You’ll also find links and QR codes that offer easy access to more information, and opportunities to get involved.

Discover practical ways to make your tearoom slavery-free, learn how to host a clothes swap and how to best shop ethically. Every calendar purchased supports our crucial efforts in raising awareness.

All proceeds from the calendar go towards ACRATH’s mission to eliminate human trafficking and modern slavery and will help us continue our vital work. Order your copy of the 20th anniversary ACRATH calendar today and join us in making a meaningful impact.