Humane Economic Labour Protection
A non-for profit ombudsman protecting the lives of slaves
The Humane Economic Labour Protection (HELP) was created in 945 by siblings Maxwell and Glory Sinister. HELP is a non-profit ombudsman that investigates businesses to ensure that they are following government guidance in the keeping of slaves. Recently they have also been lobbying to improve the livelihood of slaves in general.
Formation
Maxwell, a cleric of the angel Merinosis, and his sister, Glory, formed HELP in 945 after they visited a factory and noticed the condition the slaves were being kept in. Recognising that this condition did not match the government guidelines, Maxwell and Glory created HELP, a private non for profit guild which is not attached to any other guild, that can freely and independently verify companies are maintaining the standards the government set out in The Indentured Servant Code of Conduct. In only a few years, HELP has grown to have departments in every duchy in Favont and is currently looking to expand overseas.
HELP works independently of other guilds to verify slavery welfare
Operation
When violations are discovered during an audit, which can include looking through business records, assessing physical slave health, and visiting the site in person, actions are given to the business. HELP returns six months later, and verifies that these actions have taken place. If not, the business is publicly reported and the business must advertise their grade to their consumers.
Matters for Consideration
- Food: is it nutritious, balanced, and suitable for their health type of labour?
- Shelter: is it dry, sheltered, and able to maintain a sufficient temperature?
- Healthcare: do they have access and is it regular?
- Clothing: are they suitably dressed for the season and labour?
- Personal Protection Equipment (PPE): is it available if required and suitable for use?
They also investigate to see if corporal punishment is sufficient and correct and that slaves are not being physically harmed for the personal amusement of their owners. Though this is not explicitly stated in the guidelines, it is implied that owners should behave in a responsible manner to their property, and while the body of the slave belongs in full to their owner, the owner should not cause any injury or harm beyond what is necessary,
HELP conducts audits to ensure standards are met
Mission
HELP's mission statement is the following
At HELP, we believe that the key to a successful business is a happy and healthy workforce. When a slave's basic needs are met, they are productive and keen to work, but when they are not, their output is low, and their attitude is poor, and the business suffers. With our training program, that aligns with the expectations for slave treatment as designed by His Royal Majesty, Terys III, we can raise the productivity of your workforce and improve your business in the long term
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Though their mandate is to help slaves, H.E.L.P publicly focuses on businesses
Law
As HELP ensures that business comply with the legal guidelines set out by the government, they to must also comply. This reduces their capacity in some areas. For example, they can not...
- Talk directly to slaves by mouth or word, even outside the business. They must communicate through their owner instead
- Remove the slaves, or purchase from the owner
- Stop corporal punishment or any body modifications
They can report business that do not comply on a public register and force them to advertise their grading in shops and online. Those who do not inform customers are supplied a heavy fine.
Legally, HELP can only report, nothing more
Public Opinion
HELP are considered a nuisance and unnecessary by most businesses with many businesses choosing not to report their grade and treating the fine as the cost to do this. They have very little power beyond the threat of this public registry and lack the authority to remove slaves or have the owners arrested. Some businesses will temporarily improve circumstances, just for the audit, and then return to their normal practices as soon as it is complete.
HELP are aware of this and are presently lobbying to have greater authority to force people to adhere to the guidelines, however they are not successful amongst most of the Magi either, who are of the opinion that the treatment of slaves should remain at the discretion of their owner. They also want to tighten the guidelines which presently allow for a lot of self-interpretation, and also eventually hope to provide legal council to protect slaves in particularly dire situations.
HELP are another example of bureaucracy gone mad
HELP in the book (Shhh! Major Spoiler Alert!!)HELP approach Princess Listelle, the regent, to lobby her. She agrees with their intentions, but is also innocent enough to believe that everyone treats their slaves as well as she does, and so sees no need for an ombudsman like HELP. Maxwell Sinister compliments her on the health of Magan. Almost a year later, Magan, in his guise as Lord of Osya, starts using HELP's list as a place to find targets. Through channels, he asks Maxwell to look out in particular for child cruelty, and with the help of Aeryn DeSteffen, ensures HELP has the authority to also investigate private slaves and public service slaves as well.
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