Disney World

If I wasn't invited to go, I would never have dreamt of going to Disney World or Disney Land, Euro Disney or the Hong Kong version.

Disney is on my boycott list: it is second largest media owning corporation in the world and has a very poor record when it comes to workers rights both internationally and at home.

I went with an open mind and enjoyed myself despite myself.

What can I tell you about the place.

It is clean, organised, efficient and has an amazing attention to detail. In short, it is how everywhere would (or will) look like when the Project for the New American Century gains world dominance.

It was the second of Walt's theme parks, which was opened five years after his death in 1966.

"In addition to the four main theme parks, the resort contains two water parks, six golf courses, a sports complex, an auto race track, twenty resort hotels and numerous shopping, dining, and entertainment offerings. It even has its own fire department. The 20,000+ acre property is the largest theme park resort in the world, although over the past decade significant amounts of acreage have been sold off for housing and other developments, including land now occupied by the Disney-built (but not Disney-owned) community of Celebration."

From http://www.wikipedia.org/

You would think that a theme park that opened thirty five years ago would start to look a shabby but the upkeep must be constant. Agreed some of the styles are looking pretty dated but they do a good job touching up the paintwork.

Incidentally, if Walt were alive today, he would not be able to freely walk around his own parks. As a chronic chain smoker he would have had to be confined to one of the "designated smoking areas".

As you cross the lake on the steam boat and see the great castle hove into view over the horizon you are stuck by the scale of the place.

As you go through the security bag search, put your magnetic strip ticket through the machine and place your finger on the pint reader you are struck by the scale of the operation.

As you walk through the gates you are struck by the fantasy of the place.

We watched the show at Cinderella's Castle which emphasised that you were in a place where dreams come true.

I dreamt of a world with fair and equitable treatment for all workers around the world - but I am not holding breath for that one.

Walt himself was not a big fan of labour unions. He testified before the House Un-American Activities Committee that four of his former animators were communist agitators.

Here is a letter I sent to the Disney Corporation:

October, 15, 2006.

Dear Sir / Madam,

I have been invited to spend the holidays this year at Disney World in Orlando Florida. I have accepted the invitation and look forward to an enjoyable time at your theme park; as I have enjoyed many Disney productions that have formed some of the most indelible memories of my youth.

At the same time I have some concerns about your international business practices, which would make it difficult for me to enjoy the experience with a clear conscience - it is your international labour practices that concern me the most.

I understand it is essential in this era of “globalization” to produce merchandise in foreign countries that can provide cheaper labour than in your home country in order to remain competitive. It is also positive to share your massive wealth with the poorer countries of the world, thus providing incomes to communities in need.

However, I also understand that some of your sub-contractors can be less than ethical in the ways that they provide low wages and keep production costs down that sustain the profits that you demand ($31.9 Billion last year, I understand).

In response to public pressure, it is gratifying to see that you adopted a “Code of Conduct for Manufacturers” in the mid-nineties and contracted external auditors to ensure that these standards are maintained.

The worrying thing for me, however, is the consistent reports of the continued maltreatment of workers from impoverished countries who (according to the Los Angeles Time of September 24, 2002) get paid $0.05 per garment. A Mickey Mouse Tee I just saw on your Online Shop was on sale for $14.99 reduced from $19.99.

There are other examples:

*A cut and run policy of closing plants instead of encouraging constructive change when faced with allegations of abuse – from the article “Disney is Targeted in Abuse Campaign” cited above.

*Poor and dangerous working conditions – from the article “Already old in Bangladesh: Coalition Bring Attention to Alleged Labour Abuses” in The Washington Post, September 2002.

*A factory fire at Chowdhury Knitwears which killed 51, including 8 children aged 10 to 14 years – from The National Labour Committee website of April 2001.

In light of these issues, I am sure that you can understand my dilemma. Consuming your products would be an implicit endorsement of such practices and I really do not endorse slave labour, which appears to be how you achieve your astronomic profits.

So, in order to fully enjoy my holiday experience, I was wondering if it would be possible for you to give me a written assurance that The Walt Disney Corporation, with all its resources is:

· not knowingly buying goods made under inhumane working conditions,
· ensuring that all workers receive fair and equitable treatment as well as a “living wage” throughout the world,
· and is doing its utmost to comply with its own International Labour Standards.

If you could spare a few minutes to do this for me, it would be greatly appreciated.
I look forward to your positive response with interest.
Yours sincerely,
A

I have yet to receive a response, but I will let you know.