Hello, my name is Mrs. Robin and I'd like to welcome you to this RE lesson today on "Exploitation of people living in poverty, including fair pay and interest on loans." In today's lesson, you will be learning how to explain that unfair wages and high interest loans can exploit people and also some responses to this.

Some keywords that we'll be using today are exploitation, fair pay, interest and loan.

Exploitation is the unfair treatment or use of individuals or groups, often for profit, by taking advantage of their vulnerability, limited resources or lack of power.

Fair pay is payment that is appropriate for the work done.

Interest is money paid back on loans in addition to the original amount borrowed.

And a loan is the amount of money borrowed from a lender, usually paid back in instalments with interest.

Today's lesson will form two parts.

We will be looking at low wages and sweatshops and we'll be looking at interest on loans.

So let's get started on low wages and sweatshops.

Unfair pay, sweatshops and high interest on loans are examples of ways in which people living in poverty can be exploited.

The word exploitation comes from Latin.

It is a combination of two words, ex and plere, and it literally means to take your fill from something or someone.

By the 19th century, the word had gained some very negative connotations and now it refers to the unfair treatment or use of individuals or groups, often for profit, by taking advantage of their vulnerability, limited resources or lack of power.

Lucas and his 17-year-old sister Naomi are discussing her new job.

Lucas says, "How much did you get paid for your first shift at the cafe?" Naomi responds, "I earn 8.

32 an hour, which is great compared to Lucy who only gets 6.

96, the minimum wage for 17-year-olds." Lucas says, "That's great.

That sounds like fair pay.

You should easily be able to afford to pay for driving lessons." Naomi replies, "Yes, but that's only because I live at home and I'm not paying any rent or bills.

I'm not sure whether people on the minimum wage can." Here, you can see a photograph of rescue workers searching through the rubble of the collapsed Rana Plaza factory in Dhaka, Bangladesh after the disaster on the 24th of April 2013.

On April 24th 2013, the Rana Plaza complex in Dhaka, Bangladesh collapsed killing over 1,100 workers and injuring more than two and a half thousand.

The day before, cracks had appeared in the building, but workers were told to return or lose their jobs.

Most earn very low wages and have little choice.

The disaster highlighted the poor conditions in the garment industry where sweatshops are widespread.

The term sweatshop comes from sweat, referring to the effort that workers put into poorly paid harsh conditions and shop, meaning a workplace.

In the 19th century, the term described factories, mainly in the garment industry, where workers endured long hours, unsafe environments and low pay.

Today, it refers to any workplace that exploits people, often in industries like clothing, electronics and agriculture, particularly in countries with weak labour laws.

Workers at Rana Plaza, mostly women, made clothes for major Western brands such as Primark, Mango, Benetton and Walmart, but earned as little as 25 pounds a month.

This is barely enough to cover rent in a shared room and basic food, leaving little for healthcare, education or savings.

Following the disaster, the Bangladeshi government increased the minimum wage for garment workers to around 50 pounds per month, though campaigners argue this is still not enough to meet basic living costs.

Similar issues exist elsewhere.

In China, Foxconn factories producing Apple products have faced criticism for excessive overtime, unsafe conditions and worker suicides.

In Leicester, UK garment workers were found to be paid as little as 3.

50 an hour in 2020, which is well below the minimum wage, while making clothes for major online retailers.

Low pay and job insecurity affect many workers beyond manufacturing.

Care workers and hospitality staff often earn minimum wage, but struggle with high living costs, sometimes relying on food banks.

Many workers in retail, delivery and social care are on zero-hours contracts with no guaranteed income.

The Rana Plaza collapsed with a wake-up call, but poor wages and working conditions continue worldwide.

Some brands including Primark, H&M and Zara have since joined initiatives like the Accord on Fire and Building Safety in Bangladesh which has improved factory inspections and worker protections.

The accord led to thousands of factory inspections, identifying structural risks and ensuring repairs were made to prevent future disasters.

Others such as Adidas and Nike have pledged to ensure fair pay and ethical sourcing, but enforcement remains inconsistent.

A key issue is the gap between minimum wages, which set the legal baseline for pay, and living wages, which reflect the actual cost of necessities like housing, food and health care.

Many workers continue to earn below a living wage, meaning they still struggle to meet basic needs despite wage increases.

The conditions that led to the Rana Plaza disaster persist in many industries, showing that while some progress has been made, there is still a long way to go in ensuring fair treatment for workers.

Low wages and sweatshops are examples of ways people living in poverty are exploited.

Unfair pay.

Many workers are paid below the minimum wage or struggle to afford basic needs.

Unsafe conditions.

Overcrowded, poorly ventilated factories increase health risks.

Child labour.

Some sweatshops employ children denying them an education and a childhood.

Lack of workers' rights.

Employees may be fired for protesting unfair conditions or for forming a union.

Let's check your understanding.

Which of the following are key issues in global labour rights? Choose two answers.

We have A, the difference between minimum wage and living wage.

B, the exploitation of workers in sweatshops.

C, the ethical sourcing of raw materials for production and D, the decline in global demand for cheap labour.

Take a moment, pause the video if you need to, jot down your answers and then come back when you're ready to check.

Well done if you chose A and B, the difference between minimum and living wage and the exploitation of workers in sweatshops.

Bible teaching influence Christian beliefs about low wages and sweatshops.

"Whoever oppresses the poor to increase his own wealth will only come to poverty." Proverbs 22:16.

And "the labourer is worthy of his wages." Gemma, who's a member of the Salvation Army, tells us that the first verse warns that exploiting those living in poverty for personal gain will eventually lead to failure and loss.

Fergus, who is an Anglican Christian, says of the second verse, "Jesus teaches that people should be paid fairly for the work they do and not exploited." Gemma discusses the first verse a little more.

She says, "I'm a member of the Salvation Army which was founded by William Booth.

He taught that we must fight for social justice by ensuring fair wages, decent housing and support for the poor, just as Proverbs 22:16 warns against exploiting others for personal gain.

Fergus is explaining the second verse in more detail.

He says, "As Archbishop Justin Welby said in 2013, economic justice means paying fair wages and ending exploitation, aligning with Jesus' teaching that 'the labourer is worthy of his wages.

' In the Church of England, we believe everyone should receive fair pay for their labour." Let's check your understanding again.

Fill in the missing word.

The labourer is worthy of his.

So take a moment, pause if you need to, and then come back when you're ready to check your answer.

Well done if you put the word wages.

Christians Against Poverty is a UK-based Christian organisation that campaigns for fair pay.

It works with churches, community groups and policy makers to promote fair employment practises, ensuring that workers are not exploited.

It has supported the Living Wage campaign, encouraging churches like the Church of England and the Methodist Church to become living wage employers, ensuring their staff and contracted workers are paid fairly.

The Fairtrade movement, supported by many Christians, promotes ethical production by ensuring workers in developing countries receive fair pay.

It guarantees fair prices, decent working conditions and sustainable practises, helping workers support themselves and their families.

By certifying products with the Fairtrade label, the movement encourages consumers to choose goods that uphold justice and dignity for workers.

When responding to issues surrounding fair pay, Christians might: Support charities or volunteer with organisations that help exploited workers.

Raise awareness and educate others about fair pay and exploitation of workers.

Choose to spend their money ethically only buying from companies that pay their workers fairly.

Take political action by writing to MPs or signing petitions to demand stricter laws on worker rights.

Let's check your understanding again.

What campaign has Christians Against Poverty supported to ensure fair pay for workers? Take a moment, pause the video, and when you're ready come back to check your answer.

Well done if you put the Living Wage campaign.

Zoe, an atheist, is concerned about fair pay and sweatshops.

She says, "I believe in fairness and human rights, so I support ethical consumerism to fight against unfair pay and sweatshops.

Ethical Consumer is a UK-based organisation that identifies companies that treat workers fairly and exposes those that exploit them.

After the Rana Plaza disaster, it highlighted which fashion brands were linked to poor working conditions.

I use its resources to make informed shopping choices and avoid unethical brands." What do you think? Would a Christian be likely to act in this way? Why or why not? So take a moment, turn and talk to someone nearby if there's someone available, or you can pause and talk to me, and then come back when you're ready to move on.

Diane, a humanist, is also concerned about fair pay and sweatshops.

As a humanist, I believe in fairness and dignity for all workers, which is why my floristry business is a Living Wage employer.

I want my staff to earn a wage that reflects the real cost of living, not just the legal minimum.

Supporting the Living Wage Foundation aligns with my values of social justice and rational policy change.

I also encourage other businesses to sign up and choose to buy from companies that pay their workers fairly.

So how does this compare with the actions a Christian business owner might take? Take a moment, turn and talk to someone nearby if you can, or you can talk to me.

Pause the video and come back when you're ready to move on.

For task A on low wages and sweatshops, I'd like you to have a go at this exam-style question.

Explain two religious beliefs about fair pay.

Refer to sacred writings or another source of Christian belief and teaching in your answer.

Here's your guidance.

Point, develop, point, develop.

Now what you need to do for one of those points is link in a relevant source and explain what it teaches in relation to your points.

So this could be a quotation or a general belief, or teaching.

So take the time, think back over what you've learned today, pause the video and come back when you're ready to see what you could have said.

You could have said, One Christian belief about fair pay is that workers should receive a just wage for their labour.

In Luke 10:7, Jesus says, "The labourer is worthy of his wages," highlighting the principle that employers should not exploit their workers.

This teaching has influenced Christians to support initiatives such as the Living Wage Foundation which encourages businesses to pay wages that reflect the cost of living.

Another belief is that taking advantage of the poor through unfair wages or exploitation is wrong.

Businesses and individuals should treat workers with dignity and not prioritise profit over people's well-being.

Many Christian organisations, such as Christians Against Poverty, advocate for fair pay and ethical working conditions.

Let's move on to the second part of our lesson, interest on loans.

Sam is talking to Asher who works in finance.

Sam says, "I don't understand why people get so worried about loans.

When I borrowed from my Mum, I just paid her back 20 pounds when I had the money." Asher explains, "Borrowing from a bank is different from borrowing from your family and friends.

Banks charge interest on loans, meaning you pay back more than you borrowed.

If you borrow 12,000 pounds at 10% interest over three years, you'll repay around 13,939.

42.

Loans also have fixed repayment times and missing payments can lead to extra fees or hurt your credit score, making future borrowing harder." Sometimes lenders charge excessively high interest rates on their loans, trapping people in a cycle of borrowing.

Payday loans.

These are short-term loans with extreme high interest rates, sometimes exceeding 1,000%.

There are loan sharks, these are illegal lenders who charge extortionate interest and use intimidation tactics.

Credit cards.

Some companies charge very high interest, particularly if repayments are missed.

And loans to low-income countries can be a problem, some microloans have very high interest rates.

High interest loans are examples of how people living in poverty can be exploited.

They result in a debt trap.

Borrowers struggle to repay, taking out more loans to cover old debts.

They prey on vulnerable people, those in financial crisis who have no other options.

And they can involve illegal practises.

Loan sharks use threats and violence to enforce payments.

So let's check your understanding.

Why might high interest loans be especially problematic for low income borrowers? And I'd like you to choose two answers.

We have A, the high repayments can consume a large portion of their income, leaving little for essential needs.

B, low income borrowers often face difficulty paying the loan back due to the high interest, which increases the total debt.

C, high interest loans are often offered with flexible repayment schedules, making them seem easier to manage.

And D, low-income borrowers tend to pay back high-interest loans faster because the loans are typically smaller.

So take your time to re-read those answers, pause if you need to, and then come back when you're ready to check.

So well done if you chose A and B.

So high repayments mean a large portion of their income spent and there's, of course, more difficult to pay the loan back due to that high interest and the total debt will be increased overall.

Bible teachings influence Christian beliefs about charging interest on loans.

Exodus 22:25 says, "If you lend money to one of my people, do not charge interest." And Proverbs 28:8 says, "Whoever increases wealth by taking interest or profit from the poor, amasses it for another, who will be kind to the poor." Hannah, who's a Roman Catholic, is talking about the first verse.

She says, "This verse teaches that lending money to others, especially those in need, should not come with the burden of interest." Louise, who's a Methodist Christian, says of the second verse, "This verse warns wealth gained from exploiting those living in poverty will be transferred to those who help them." Hannah expands a bit more on her church's teaching on loans.

In the Roman Catholic Church, usury, the practise of charging unfairly high interest on loans, is condemned in the Catechism in paragraph 2438.

Pope Francis also warned against debt systems that trap the poor.

Louise says of the second verse, "The social principles of the Methodist Church oppose predatory lending and its founder, John Wesley, criticised high interest rates.

The church supports fair loans and debt relief in line with Proverbs 28:8.

According to Exodus 22:25, what should you not charge on loans to God's people? So take a moment to think about the verse that you've just studied, pause the video if you need to and then come back when you're ready to check your answer.

So well done if you put interest.

Christian Aid is a Christian charity that works to tackle poverty and injustice worldwide.

It focuses on supporting the most vulnerable communities in developing countries by providing financial support through initiatives like microloans which help people access affordable credit to start or grow businesses.

Christian Aid also runs debt relief programmes to alleviate the burden of unsustainable debts.

The Salvation Army is a worldwide Christian denomination.

It runs initiatives like the Debt Advice Service, which offers support to people facing financial difficulties, including those trapped by high-interest loans.

It worked with local authorities and other charities to ensure fair lending practises and campaigns for stricter regulations on payday lenders to prevent exploitation of those living in poverty.

When responding to issues surrounding high interest on loans, Christians might: Support ethical banks and credit unions which provide low or interest-free loans to those in need.

Raise awareness and educate others about the dangers of payday loans and loan sharks.

Volunteer with debt charities or offer financial advice.

Take political action by supporting tighter regulations on loan companies and interest rates.

So let's check your understanding.

Which of the following is the most likely Christian response to the issue of high-interest loans? A, supporting interest-free loans for everyone.

B, promoting fair lending practises and advocating for stronger regulations on loan companies or C, encouraging people to use payday loans in times of financial need.

Take a moment, pause if you need to, and then come back when you're ready to check your answer.

So well done if you put B, promoting fair lending practises and advocating for stronger regulations.

Brandon, a humanist, is concerned about issues surrounding high interest loans.

He says, "As a humanist, I believe in fairness and protecting people from financial exploitation.

I volunteer at the Citizens Advice Bureau, an independent charity that provides free, confidential advice on debt and financial services.

It helps people understand their rights, challenge unfair high-interest loans, and find practical solutions to financial problems." So how is Brandon's approach similar to one that a Christian might take? Pause the video, turn and talk to someone nearby if there's someone around or you can pause and talk to me and then come back when you're ready to move on.

Warren, an atheist, is also concerned about issues surrounding high interest on loans.

Warren says, "As an atheist, I believe in practical action to reduce poverty, so I support Lendwithcare, a microfinance initiative that helps people start businesses and become self-sufficient.

Instead of giving to charity, I lend small amounts to entrepreneurs in developing countries, allowing them to build a stable income.

When the loan is repaid, I can reinvest it to help others." So why not a Christian also invest money with Lendwithcare? Take a moment, turn and talk to someone nearby if you can, and then come back when you're ready to move on.

For part one of our task on interests on loans, I'd like you to complete the table on Christian views on interests on loans by developing a point with something they do and explaining why it is important.

So the first point is, the Bible teaches that lending should be fair and not a burden on those in need.

And the second, many Christians believe charging high interest on loans exploits those in financial difficulty.

So take your time, pause the video, think about what you've learned today and then come back when you're ready to see what you could have written.

You could have said for the first point, that the Bible teaches lending should be fair and not a burden on those in need.

Many Christians support ethical banks that offer low interest loans or provide financial advice to help people manage debt responsibly.

This is important because it ensures that vulnerable individuals are not trapped in poverty due to unfair lending practises reflecting Christian values of justice and compassion.

And for the second point, many Christians believe charging high interest on loans exploits those in financial difficulty.

They may campaign for stricter regulations on payday lenders or support initiatives like the Salvation Army Debt Advice Service.

This is important because it helps protect people from financial exploitation and promotes a fairer society.

So well done if you managed to develop both of those points with examples and also explain the importance of them.

For part two of our task, Sofia has used non-religious arguments to write a paragraph supporting the statement in this full evaluation question.

It is wrong to charge high interest on loans.

Evaluate this statement.

In your answer, you: Should give reasoned arguments in support of this statement.

Should give reasoned arguments to support a different point of view.

Should refer to religious arguments may refer to non-religious arguments and should reach a justified conclusion.

Now there's a lot to do there and Sofia has just written one paragraph using non-religious arguments to support the statement.

You're going to continue her work by writing a paragraph of reasoned arguments in support of this statement just like her, but you're going to be using religious arguments.

So let's have a look at what Sofia has written.

"Charging high interest on loans is wrong because it traps people in cycles of debt, making it harder for them to escape financial difficulties.

Payday lenders and loan sharks often target vulnerable individuals who have no other options, forcing them to pay back much more than they originally borrowed.

This leads to stress, poverty and even homelessness." So now I'd like you to write your paragraph to support the statement using religious arguments.

Think about what you've learned about the Christian take on high interest on loans and use that to put your paragraph together.

Pause the video and come back when you're ready to see what you could have written.

You could have said, Christians agree that charging high interest on loans is wrong because it exploits those in financial difficulty going against biblical teachings on justice and compassion.

The Bible warns against usury, as seen in Exodus 22:25 which states "If you lend money to one of our people among you who is needy, do not treat it like a business deal.

Charge no interest." Many Christians believe that lending should help those in need rather than trap them in debt.

As a result they may support ethical banks, campaign for stricter regulations on payday lenders or donate to charities like Christian Aid which provide financial support to those living in lower-income countries through initiatives like microloans.

So well done if you managed to use some of the Bible teaching and if you also link that in with how Christians respond to what they do to help with this issue of high interest on loans.

We've learned a lot today.

We've learned that sweatshops and low wages trap workers in poverty, while high-interest loans create cycles of debt and target the vulnerable.

Cases like the Rana Plaza disaster in 2013 and high-interest payday loans highlight systemic exploitation.

Bible teachings condemn unfair wages and exploitative lending, calling for justice and compassion.

Groups like Christian Aid, The Salvation Army, Fairtrade and Christians Against Poverty, advocate for fair pay, ethical trade and debt relief.

Individual Christians might respond through ethical consumerism and supporting organisations that advocate for change.

Atheists and humanists might also support in this way.

So we've worked really hard today and learned a lot.

Thank you so much for all of your efforts.