Blood, Sweat and Luxuries, to be broadcast on BBC Three
When it comes to life’s little pleasures, the luxury items people treat themselves to on a daily basis, the UK public is spoilt for choice. But six young Brits are about to find out the human cost to the nation’s little pick me ups as they swap the high street for life on the production line in Blood, Sweat and Luxuries, to be broadcast on BBC Three.
Blood, Sweat and Takeaways (broadcast in 2009), which explored the human cost of food production in South East Asia, was the highest ever rating factual programme on BBC 3.
Following its successful showing on BBC Three, it was repeated on BBC One. It followed the first series, the BAFTA-nominated Blood, Sweat and T-Shirts.
Most people wouldn’t think twice about popping into their local coffee shop, upgrading to the latest MP3 player or treating a loved one to a piece of jewellery. But if they knew truth about the appalling living and working conditions for the people that supply them, would they feel like such a treat?
The young Brits will be immersed into the worlds of gem mining in Madagascar; leather and coffee production in Ethiopia; e-recycling and gold mining in Ghana; and the electronics industry in the Philippines.
They will see first-hand what really goes into making the nation’s luxuries; living and working alongside the people that supply them, working relentless hours in appalling conditions for a pittance.
You can join the debate and interact with your thoughts on this interactive You Tube video
Or leave your thoughts on the dedicated blog hosted by BBC3.
About BBC3
No other youth-focused British channel makes programmes like these on a consistent basis. And with the channel growing 30% in the last two years we know that young people like the ways in which we approach these subjects, and find them thought-provoking and stimulating.
On average 29 million people watch the channel each month and BBC Three now reaches more young people in its broadcast hours than any other digital channel.
Blood, Sweat and Luxuries continues on Tuesday at 9pm on BBC3.
4 comments so far
1 jane thompson // May 4, 2010 at 10:13 pm
i watched the coffee program and as i look after the coffee points at a large hotel chain i was really upset to see how little they earned. i earn the minimum wage for my job but to see how little they earn in feel very lucky. i will be going into work tomorrow to ask them to use fair trade coffee beans in future.
2 steven patterson // May 11, 2010 at 10:27 pm
iv never ever seen any think like that and i reall feel 4 them as am pooer and i can not read or right propply. so 4 them i do not no how people can stand back and let it go . pooer people like me would love to give a helping hand. to me donation is no good as they never ever see a penny if i could save up and give some 1 in there hand to go over there i would love 2. sorry am no good at righting but i feel 4 them
3 Cath Williamson // May 12, 2010 at 9:19 am
I watched last nights programme & it’s always hard to decide which workers are the worse off but last night I couldn’t believe the conditions the young African boys worked in in the electrical tip areas. I wondered about the boy with the catheter, sometimes this operation can be reversed – in some cases this can be an option. How can I find out if he can be helped, I would donate cash for/towards an op for him if an option?
4 Paul Thornton // May 20, 2010 at 9:00 pm
Blood Sweat and Luxuries – what an excellent programme – emotive, factual and entertaining all at once. The ONE and ONLY let down – that utter FOOL – Oscar. WHY on Gods good earth would your producers give such an amazing opportunity to an utter pain in the a**e. He ruined a great show. Made us Britts look like selfish , immature, arrogant and downright disrespectful people. Surely you could have found a better candidate. The guy REALLY annoyed me and my girlfriend – to the point of actually angering me from my armchair. God alone knows how the poor lot actually stuck filming and working with him in person managed to keep from assaulting him. You should have MADE him stick to his plans of getting a flight home – and let the rest of the group show the real spirit of teen Brits today. The group who actually care and are repared to get stuck in and DO the job, and care about the people they meet, and try to help. Leaving the people they meet with the right impression of teenagers in Engalnd today. The rest of the group are a credit to the youth of today, real ambassadors for our country. Its always the case that one bad egg ruins an image of all. Apart from that – loved the show. I wonder if others have anything to say about my impressions of Oscar? I would really love to see if others shared my views. Paul Thornton 20/05/2010 21:00hrs