2010

S1.E1 ∙ Sapphire

Wed, Dec 31, 1969

James, George and their mates discover the flip-sides of the glamorous gem business, notably in the case of sapphire. Even in the affluent West, not everyone can afford those flashy stones. Yet people who mine them, like in Madagascar, perform backbreaking toil in lifelong abject poverty and for virtual pittance. Real profit is made down the road by brokers, often Asians, cutters and finally the Western jewelry business, as prices get multiplied many times.

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S1.E2 ∙ Leather

Wed, Dec 31, 1969

Oscar, James, George and the girls follow the production process of Ethopian leather for handbags and footwear. Veganist Oscar opts out of the abattoir is the capital Addis Abbeba, which is just too bloody and realistically reminding of the slaughtered animals. Oscar repeatedly changes his mind about helping in the tannery run by an Armenian family in a country town. In the Addis Abeba shoe factory, he's the only one removed the first day from the sowing training, just for trying stitching a circle on paper. After discussions with their supervisor, their host for the night, he does so well to catch up on the second day that he alone actually makes it to the production line in the best-paid section.

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S1.E3 ∙ Coffee

Wed, Dec 31, 1969

Oscar, James, George and the girls (including one newcomer) follow the production process of coffee in southern Ethiopia. George is to sick to work the first day, when they must clear the field for coffee trees by machete. Oscar proves himself the best at digging planting holes, but leaves after just enough for his own food, having opted for a private Veganist diet. He regrets that during the last job, loading heavy sacks of coffee beans.

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S1.E4 ∙ Gold & Waste

Wed, Dec 31, 1969

Oscar, James, George and the girls first follow the production of gold in Ghana. Next they learn about the poorly managed giant waste-dumps around the capital Ghana, where lots of computer hardware from Europe ends up.

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S1.E5 ∙ Episode #1.5

Wed, Dec 31, 1969

First a recapitulation of the six Brittons' experiences with different Indian businesses supplying the fashion industry, complemented with their own views and how it changed their lives. Next a preview to a similar experience had by another British bunch traveling to Asian food industries with equally harsh conditions to supply the West relatively cheap poultry, tuna and prawns.

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S1.E6 ∙ MP3 Player

Wed, Dec 31, 1969

Oscar, James, George and the girls first follow the production of MP3 players in a Manila factory. Hygiene is as big an obsession as product quality control, making the sterile work-floor mind-numbingly monotonous, so Oscar opts out of the coil-making training although gifted. Most workers are country girls who get estranged from the families their salary supports. Next the gang visits garbage collector families in the slums and the factory boss's lavish villa, who explains the iron laws of international competition. Back in England, each claims to be changed and seeks to help Third World workers.

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