Australia's leading Christian retail chain has established a Fair Trade Policy for the conditions under which products it stocks should be made by overseas suppliers.

The document from Koorong--which has 18 stores across the country--has been welcomed as a "great first step" by leaders of the Just Holy Hardware campaign launched by the Justice and International Mission Unit of the Uniting Church in Australia.

The Koorong move was followed in December by an updated, public purchasing policy from Word--which has 19 outlets--that was also applauded by activists.

Word's document states that "methods of production used by suppliers must not involve exploitation or endanger health and safety of any persons or the environment," and that the company reserves the right not to do business with suppliers failing to comply.

Koorong's policy says that it is "committed to supplying Christian resources that have been safely and ethically manufactured." It defines "minimum standards" to which suppliers must adhere, including the avoidance of child and forced labor, appropriate pay and benefits, freedom from discrimination and adherence to health and safety standards.

The Just Holy Hardware initiative was launched following the 2007 publication of a disputed report by the U.S.-based National Labor Committee which claimed that crucifixes sold in Christian bookstores were being made in "horrific" sweatshop conditions.

The report declared that CBA in America had "decided, en masse, to follow Wal-Mart to China, where it can exploit defenseless workers," and named two leading gift suppliers it said took advantage of the poor conditions to make money. The allegations drew an angry response from the retail trade association, whose then-president, Bill Anderson, called them "irresponsible and unfounded."

Read the full report in the January issue of Christian Retailing magazine.

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