What began as a rally for fair labor conditions – commemorated in many countries as International Workers’ Day – continues today in the fight for human rights, safe workplaces, fair wages, and freedom from exploitation.

But at Not For Sale, this mission isn’t reserved for one day of remembrance. It’s a year-round commitment.

Ethical labor practices aren’t a nice-to-have – they’re a cornerstone of freedom

Around the world, forced labor and exploitation remain deeply woven into supply chains. Traffickers force people into jobs they didn’t choose, trapping them through debt, manipulation, or poverty. Often hidden in plain sight, modern slavery is not an isolated act – it’s systemic – and it thrives wherever workers are seen as disposable.

The antidote? Fair wages. Safe workplaces. Human rights, and a human-centered business model

That’s why Not For Sale doesn’t just support survivors – we seed and partner with enterprises that actively prevent exploitation. Take REBBL, the organic super herb beverage brand that was born from our mission. Every bottle is a stand against trafficking. By sourcing ingredients ethically and working directly with communities vulnerable to exploitation, REBBL creates value with people, not off them.

In Peru, REBBL’s partnership with a Brazil nut cooperative brought stable income to Indigenous producers – and helped protect both people and rainforest in the process. This isn’t charity. It’s commerce done right.

Or consider M2i Global, a Not For Sale partner focused on securing a sustainable future through responsible critical mineral recovery. Rather than extracting new resources, M2i reclaims high-value metals from waste streams – such as electronic scrap and retired infrastructure – reducing environmental impact and rebuilding value in overlooked materials. But their mission doesn’t stop at sustainability.

With operations designed to empower communities affected by industrial decline or environmental degradation, M2i creates ethical employment pathways and invests in economic regeneration. Their approach shows how circular economy models, when paired with social purpose, can offer both environmental and human freedom.

Through ventures like these, we don’t just fight fires. We change the climate.

Beyond compliance: Building dignity into every business decision

Too often, labor rights are treated as a checklist – minimum wages, basic safety, legal paperwork. But true ethical labor goes further. It asks: Are we creating environments where workers can thrive, not just survive?

Whether it’s access to education, investment in local economies, or a voice in decision-making, freedom is built on dignity. Ethical businesses understand this. They don’t just aim for the absence of harm – they design for wellbeing.

The ripple effect is powerful. Empowered workers support families, uplift communities, and fuel economies from the ground up. This is how modern business becomes a tool for liberation – not exploitation.

The enterprise mindset for better human rights and a fairer future

At Not For Sale, we believe enterprise is one of the most scalable vehicles for systemic change. But not just any enterprise – mission-aligned, impact-led businesses with the courage to rethink capitalism.

This is why we don’t just partner with companies – we help shape them. Our founders work directly at the board and C-suite level of our ventures to ensure ethics are baked into operations from day one. Whether it’s choosing a supplier, investing in a region, or deciding how profits are shared, these decisions matter. And they speak.

Because when you choose to operate ethically, you don’t just change your business. You challenge an entire industry to do better.

Freedom isn’t a slogan. It’s a supply chain

When we talk about ending modern slavery, we’re not just talking about rescuing individuals – we’re talking about reshaping systems. That means getting into the weeds of business practices, reimagining how value is created, and committing to long-term relationships with communities that are often overlooked.

It’s not the easy way. But it’s the only way forward.

• Support Not For Sale and support better human rights for workers around the world.