This paper consists of two parts, and is grounded on the thematic analysis of “Rethinking North-South Relations and Global Justice”. Part I consists of summarizing and assessing the arguments of three articles written by Don Wells (2009), Julien Mercille (2013), and Illan Kapoor (2013). Part II consists of an examination of an independent case study written by Nathan Farrell (2012). The purpose of this paper is threefold. First, it will summarize and assess the arguments of three articles. Secondly, it will examine the article (case study) by Farrell (2012) with the thematic focus and, in conjunction with the arguments made by the three authors. Finally, it will disclose, whether the case study investigation confirm or challenge the arguments raised by Wells (2009), Mercille (2013), and Kapoor (2013). The transnationalisation of production from the North to the South, often has a negative impact on the global labour standards. Although, both North and South are playing a major role to balance the labour standard. As an illustration, Wells (2009) talks about “race to the bottom” a theoretical phenomenon whereby, it is assumed that multinationals invest in countries with lower regulatory standards (William 191), such as the Northern investment in the global South. This phenomenon is shifting power away from workers to employers, and as a result, it downgrades the labor standards in the South. Especially in the garment, athletic footwear, consumer electronics and other global industries (567-68). However, Northern initiatives such as, transnational corporations’ (TNCs) labour-oriented “corporate social responsibility" (CSR) policies has little effect on the labour standard enforcement, because of structural shortcomings. For an exam... ... middle of paper ... ...en third world considered a dumping ground (hazardous materials and e-waste). At the same time the West tends to come forward to save the “third world” (through the Western celebrities) (45). Indeed, it is not a win-win situation for the West and Africa, rather it is a Western initiative to take over the real Africa. Works Cited Olney, William W., 2013. A race to the bottom? Employment protection and foreign direct investment, Journal of International Economics, Elsevier, vol. 91(2), pages 191-203. Rodríguez-Garavito, C. (January 01, 2005). Global Governance and Labor Rights: Codes of Conduct and Anti-Sweatshop Struggles in Global Apparel Factories in Mexico and Guatemala. Politics & Society, 33, 2, 203-333. King, J. D. D. (2010). Awakening of global consciousness: A guide to self-realization and spirituality. S.l.: Authorhouse.
In today’s world, increasing big companies open factories in developing countries but many people said it is unethical and the factories are sweatshops. Most of the sweatshops were opened in east Asia and third-world countries and regions. The companies open the sweatshops in order to get more benefits is a kind of very irresponsible behavior. For example, Apple's factories in China are not good and unethical. Audit finds
Look down at the clothes you're wearing right now, chances are almost every single thing you are currently wearing was made in a sweatshop. It is estimated that between 50-75% of all garments are made under sweatshop like conditions. Designers and companies get 2nd party contractors to hire people to work in these factories, this is a tool to make them not responsible for the horrendous conditions. They get away with it by saying they are providing jobs for people in 3rd world countries so its okay, but in reality they are making their lives even worse. These companies and designers only care about their bank accounts so if they can exploit poor, young people from poverty stricken countries they surely will, and they do. A sweatshop is a factory
With the continued rise of consumer "needs" in "industrial" countries such as the United States, and the consistently high price that corporations must pay to produce goods in these countries, companies are looking to "increase (their) profits by driving down costs any way possible... To minimize costs, companies look for places with the lowest wages and human rights protections" (Dosomething). Countries with lax or unenforced labor laws grant multinational corporations the leeway to use cheap foreign labor to mass-produce their commodities so that they can be sold in countries like America. These inexpensive, sometimes borderline illegal, establishments are known as sweatshops. In his book Timmerman discusses the topic of sweatshops in great detail. Originally in search of "where (his) T-shirt was made(;) (Timmerman) (went) to visit the factory where it was made and (met) the people who made (it)" (Timmerman5).
Some people of North America know about these sweatshop workers, they feel bad and some also protest. They set up NGOs, send funds and donations but they never try to break the tradition of sweatshop working. They all assume that this is best for the society. An Idea can be drawn from William
In his article “Sweatshops, Choice, and Exploitation” Matt Zwolinski attempts to tackle the problem of the morality of sweatshops, and whether or not third parties or even the actors who create the conditions, should attempt to intervene on behalf of the workers. Zwolinski’s argument is that it is not right for people to take away the option of working in a sweatshop, and that in doing so they are impeding on an individual’s free choice, and maybe even harming them. The main distinction that Zwolinski makes is that choice is something that is sacred, and should not be impeded upon by outside actors. This is showcased Zwolinski writes, “Nevertheless, the fact that they choose to work in sweatshops is morally significant. Taken seriously, workers' consent to the conditions of their labor should lead us to abandon certain moral objections to sweatshops, and perhaps even to view them as, on net, a good thing.” (Zwolinski, 689). He supports his argument of the importance of free choice by using a number of different tactics including hypothetical thought exercises and various quotes from other articles which spoke about the effects of regulation business. Throughout the article there were multiple points which helped illuminate Zwolinski’s argument as well as multiple points which muddle the argument a bit.
Many societies face the much overlooked problem of child labor and sweatshops in the fashion industry. Recently, Americans were stunned to learn that their apple pie sweetheart, Kathie Lee Gifford was associated with the exploitation of underage workers in Honduras. Gifford's story began the resurgence of knowledge of the growing problem of sweatshops in today's society. Contrary to popular belief, sweatshops still exist across the world in both third world countries and super powers such as America. Sweatshops incorporate the inhumane exploitation of workers, many of whom are underage, by providing extremely low wages as well as expecting unrealistic time commitments. In addition, the workers lack benefits and very few sweatshops abide by the required health codes. Sweatshops are obviously a growing problem that will not disappear with out change. Although the United States government has begun to take steps to alleviate the problem, there must be an increase in both awareness and legislation.
Sweatshops are factories that violate two or more human rights. Sweatshops are known in the media and politically as dangerous places for workers to work in and are infamous for paying minimum wages for long hours of labour. The first source is a quote that states that Nike has helped improve Vietnamese’s’ workers lives by helping them be able to afford luxuries they did not have access to before such as scooters, bicycles and even cars. The source is showing sweatshops in a positive light stating how before sweatshops were established in developing countries, Vietnamese citizens were very poor and underprivileged. The source continues to say that the moment when sweatshops came to Vietnam, workers started to get more profit and their lives eventually went uphill from their due to being able to afford more necessities and luxuries; one of them being a vehicle, which makes their commute to work much faster which in turn increases their quality of life. The source demonstrates this point by mentioning that this is all due to globalization. Because of globalization, multinationals are able to make investments in developing countries which in turn offers the sweatshops and the employees better technology, better working skills and an improvement in their education which overall helps raise the sweatshops’ productivity which results in an increase
“Sweatshops Are the Norm in the Global Apparel Industry. We’re Standing up to Change That.” International Labor Rights Forum. N.p., n.d. Web. 6 Feb. 2014. .
It is thought-provoking, in the sense that Africa’s need for foreign created a race to the bottom, much like what Pietra Rivoli described in The Travels of a T-Shirt in the Global Economy. Due to some African states’ reliance on foreign aid in order to mine and profit on their resources, they allow business standards to be lowered and for Chinese firms to tip the contracts moresoever in the favor of Chinese firms. This lowers the potential earnings of African states by lowering royalty rates, for example. Additionally, Burgis’ research was thorough and transparent. When he did not receive a response or if his questions were dodged, he made it obvious to the readers. Sure, some could view this book as too anecdotal to be used as a credible source of Africa’s situation. However, this is due to the nature of the system Burgis is writing about; after all, they are shadow states for a reason. Some readers will be saddened by this text, others angry, most curious to learn more, but above all, everyone will be intellectually stimulated and
Pekkala Kerr, Sari, William Kerr, and William Lincoln. "Skilled Immigration and the Employment Structures of U.S. Firms." November 2013. The National Bureau of Economic Research. Web. 20 February 2014.
Linda Lim, a professor at the University of Michigan Business School, visited Vietnam and Indonesia in the summer of 2000 to obtain first-hand research on the impact of foreign-owned export factories (sweatshops) on the local economies. Lim found that in general, sweatshops pay above-average wages and conditions are no worse than the general alternatives: subsistence farming, domestic services, casual manual labor, prostitution, or unemployment. In the case of Vietnam in 1999, the minimum annual salary was 134 U.S. dollars while Nike workers in that country earned 670 U.S. dollars, the case is also the similar in Indonesia. Many times people in these countries are very surprised when they hear that American's boycott buying clothes that they make in the sweatshops. The simplest way to help many of these poor people that have to work in the sweatshops to support themselves and their families, would be to buy more products produced in the very sweatshops they detest.
Americans do not realize the amount of clothing we wear on a daily basis is actually made in Cambodia, such as Adidas and even the Gap. The women that work for these sweatshops in Cambodia sew for 50 cents an hour, which is what allows stores in America, such as H&M to sell inexpensive clothing (Winn, 2015). The conditions these Cambodian workers face are a noisy, loud, and extremely hot environment where people are known for having huge fainting attacks. When workers were on strike a year ago, authorities actually shot multiple people just because they were trying to raise their pay. There is plenty of evidence of abuse captured through many interviews of workers from different factories, and is not just a rarity these places see often or hear of. Factories hire children, fire pregnant women because they are slow and use the bathroom to much, scream at regular workers if they use the toilet more than two times a day, scam hard working employees with not paying them their money they worked for and more, and workers are sent home and replaced if 2,000 shirts are not stitched in one day. Expectations are unrealistic and not suitable for employees to be working each day for more than ten
Jane Collins’ book Threads: Gender, Labor, and Power in the Global Apparel Industry is a presentation of the evolution of the industrial globalization of the apparel industry. Although the book presents some good information in regards to globalization of the apparel industry it is rather outdated now. However, this is due to the large number of campaigns bringing awareness to the problematic nature of sweatshops since this book was released. The book is heavily biased in regards to the presentation of the repressive nature of the apparel industry against women. This could have been the result of the expertise of the author making it hard to present a more balanced perception. However, the broad focus of the book makes it a good starting point for anyone who is looking to gain general knowledge into the apparel industry.
When one considers the injustice the sweatshop worker deals with at the hands of corporate America, one can only wonder how such actions are allowed. Where is the Declaration of Human Rights? This document declares rights to all humans, but somehow sweatshop workers are overlooked? They are human beings too. Something must be done to end this parade of abuse. Take some action, next time you see The Gap, walk right by it, every little bit helps.
As we continue to pour money into the massive corporations, that mass produce the materials we use on a daily basis, outsource their manufacturing plants to foreign countries with the intention of utilizing the cheap labor available. While providing foreign countries, such as China, Bangladesh, India, etc., with numerous jobs, large corporations have given these countries the opportunity to be included in, and expand, the global economy. However with activists such as Ed Finn, who passionately encourage that Americans pay attention to what they buy and conduct meaningless boycotts, will force these large corporations to follow a society-wide consensus that tells companies how they should operate their developing-country factories. Blind to the fact that their insufficient boycotts are in support of crushing opportunities for others, activists don’t seem to realize