While we often talk about the handprint of fashion and the hands that make the clothes we wear every day, The Price of Free begs us to consider the hands, often children’s, that produce the homewares, plastic toys and other products sold across the world, telling the story of countless children who are forced into slave labour due to rising global demands for cheap goods.
“Most major brands label their products in other countries to avoid detection during the raids,” the narrator explains. “As our thirst for cheaper and cheaper goods has grown, western companies look for more affordable manufacturing so they can stay competitive.” Much of that saving comes from outsourcing labour: “In the US, minimum wage is 7.25 an hour, in France it’s 11.22 an hour, China it’s 87 cents an hour. Child labour is free.”
It’s a haunting message. Child labour is worth $100 billion dollars globally, making it the largest organised crime industry in the world. But thanks to the tireless dedication of Kailash, his family, and his organization BBA, the number of child victims has reduced globally from 260 million to 152 million.
“We have the power – think before you shop. If you think a deal is too good to be true it probably is.”
In this ongoing battle, the harrowing opening scene of the film follows Kailash and his team as they raid a factory in New Delhi, breaking down locked doors as they climb the floors of the building to find children hiding on the rooftop amidst bags of foam, suffocating in the sweltering heat.
Since 1980, Kailash and his grassroots organization Bachpan Bachao Andolan (Save the Childhood Movement) have rescued and rehabilitated over 87,000 children, battling corruption and frequently risking their lives. Kailash himself has had his back and skull broken in an attack during a raid, and many of his activists have been attacked and badly injured, even murdered. But for the inspirational founder, his family and team of activists, the risks they take are far outweighed by the cause.