EXPLOITATION
I came face to face with exploitation today. It was in the weary face of a 43 year old widowed mom of three boys, named Aya.
Aya’s house
Aya’s sewing area underneath her house on stiltS
Aya showed us her work as a seamstress. This week, she is sewing jean shorts together — seams, inseams, pockets, waistband, zipper, hem…all of it! For each pair completed, she earns 9 baht (about $.29). On a good day, she can finish five pairs earning a whopping $1.45 for a day of work.
I asked Aya who she works for. What company pays so little? She didn’t know. She works as a ‘contractor’ of sorts for a boss. She has no car or moto so rides a bike to the boss’ house and picks up as much jean fabric as she can carry; then, rides back to her home and begins sewing, one stitch at a time. Her boss earns double what she makes; but does none of the work. Instead, hires it out to a poor widowed woman who is desperate.
And there it was yet again — exploitation. In this part of the world, it is very common. Sometimes the exploitation is hard to see, but when I sat with Aya, it was pretty evident. From a loan shark (aka: Cambodian bank) charging 58% interest on a $1000 loan, to a shrewd (aka greedy) businessman hiring out work and profiting for doing none of it.
Our Landmine Design Dai ladies asked me today if we could hire Aya for our sewing program. As a skilled seamstress, she would add so much to our team. As a community of believers, they have been burdened for Aya and praying for God to provide for her and her children. I told them I wanted nothing more than to hire her. But, we also have a policy to not hire anyone unless we are certain we can keep them employed for a long time. That means we must have enough sales to cover their salary for at least a year.
As we walked away from Aya’s house, I knew we had to hire her. What I didn’t know (and still don’t) is how we will do it.
Exploitation happens all over out here. Aya is just one example of how I see it playing out. But for this one mom, I’m praying we can have a part of watching God redeem the exploitation and bring her into a sustainable job creation program where she not only earns a dignified income, but also grows deeply in her walk with the Lord.
God is a God of redemption! I’m holding tightly to that for our women out here, including Aya.
Grace,
Karla
