Many large companies use sweatshops in order to decrease production costs of products. The workers in these sweatshops are in a truly terrible situation. Often it is the only job available to them, and therefore it is absolutely necessary in order to support the family. At the same time, it requires long hours with little pay, so every hour spent at home is spent asleep. The workers are separated from their families and spend their lives making products so that large companies can benefit by reselling them. Many people aren’t aware of the work that goes into the products they buy at stores, but if they are able to become more informed then their shopping habits may change.
Wal-Mart is one of the main offenders when it comes to the use of sweatshops and foreign labor. They seem to be the most exploitive company out there. The sweatshop workers are in terrible positions. Financially they are helpless, and this is definitely not helped by the sweatshops. Many have the option of living in dorms provided by the company. Unfortunately, this isn’t much of an option. Even if they choose to live at home, they have rent for the dorms taken out of their paychecks. The working conditions are disgusting and unhealthy, but they have no choice but to return every day in order to support themselves and their families.
Sweatshop workers are also threatened and blackmailed to lie to the inspectors who come in and view the working conditions. In one documentary on the subject, we see a young girl who was given a fake paycheck to show to inspectors and say that she was earning that amount of money. The entire business is backwards and wrong. This is particularly true of corporations who utilize child labor to run their sweatshops. The same principles of a regular sweatshop worker apply, only the worker is often below the age of 12.
In order to stop sweatshop worker exploitation, a regular person might feel fairly helpless. But it is an outrage that all of these things go on, and there have been many protests recently against the happenings. By getting involved with these, you can do everything you can to assist the protesting groups.
Wednesday, March 21, 2007
ackling the Huge Problem of Sweatshops
The widespread use of sweatshops is one of the most outrageous problems plaguing the world today. People in foreign countries are being exploited for practically no money, in order to benefit large corporations who sell the products in richer areas. The owners of these corporations become the richest people in the world, while the sweatshop workers live in poverty and die because of the terrible conditions they are forced to work in. The use of sweatshops is outrageous, and any company who advocates their use should not be put up with. Unfortunately, it seems that nothing is being done to get rid of these factories.
The main problem with sweatshops is the mistreatment of the workers. Usually the workers in the foreign countries don’t have many other choices for jobs they can take, and they end up stuck in the sweatshops. They have to work grueling hours to make an amount of money that is truly pitiable and support their families. They end up being estranged from their families because of how much they are away from home, and they have no choice but to keep working. It is a catastrophe, and a vicious cycle that is hard for the workers to get out of.
Usually, the sweatshop workers make less than a cent for each product they make. These items are then shipped over to the western world, and sold for thousands of times that price. It seems like the corporations could stand to pay quite a bit more to the people who manufacture their products. If they were even able to pay an entire cent for each product that is made, this would be a drastic improvement for the workers. Their paychecks would be measly, but it would still be a few more dollars than it is now. And consider how much this would affect the corporation’s bottom line. The extra half cent per product is such a miniscule amount that it would seem that it is ridiculous to not pay it.
So if you think that sweatshops are an outrageous proposition, you should do something to fight them. There are many protest organizations who regularly stage demonstrations against sweatshops. The more supporters they have, the more effective they will be able to be.
The main problem with sweatshops is the mistreatment of the workers. Usually the workers in the foreign countries don’t have many other choices for jobs they can take, and they end up stuck in the sweatshops. They have to work grueling hours to make an amount of money that is truly pitiable and support their families. They end up being estranged from their families because of how much they are away from home, and they have no choice but to keep working. It is a catastrophe, and a vicious cycle that is hard for the workers to get out of.
Usually, the sweatshop workers make less than a cent for each product they make. These items are then shipped over to the western world, and sold for thousands of times that price. It seems like the corporations could stand to pay quite a bit more to the people who manufacture their products. If they were even able to pay an entire cent for each product that is made, this would be a drastic improvement for the workers. Their paychecks would be measly, but it would still be a few more dollars than it is now. And consider how much this would affect the corporation’s bottom line. The extra half cent per product is such a miniscule amount that it would seem that it is ridiculous to not pay it.
So if you think that sweatshops are an outrageous proposition, you should do something to fight them. There are many protest organizations who regularly stage demonstrations against sweatshops. The more supporters they have, the more effective they will be able to be.
Student Organizations to Protest Against Sweatshops
Some of the biggest and most effective protests in the world are those done by students. The collective voice of a group of outraged students does a lot to change the ways of those committing whatever deed is being protested. If you are a student and you are disgusted by the conditions and thought processes behind sweatshops used by large corporations, you are not alone. You can take the opportunity to join your fellow students and let your collective voices be heard, and hopefully do something big in the opposition against those who bring sweatshops to foreign countries and impose the horrific conditions that the workers are subjected to.
While it may seem like it would be impossible to reach the large corporations, it is definitely feasible. The greatest weapon that protestors can have is truly the number of people who are involved. By going out to some of the regular protests that occur, you can bring strength in numbers to the protestors. Eventually, the large corporations will have no choice but to rethink their evil ways. This could mean more expensive products for consumers since they will be paying fair wages. But it is definitely worth it in the long run to promote the fair treatment of people everywhere.
Besides simply protesting, you can also contribute money to help fight for the cause. These funds are used to help non-profit organizations devoted to bringing down offshore sweatshops. Some of them even help the workers to get a different job and start earning money for themselves that isn’t from working at a sweatshop. It is a great thing to fight for, as it will liberate people across the world from something close to enslavement.
If you would like to join the students against sweatshops national organization, you can simply visit their web page and register yourself there as someone who is against sweatshops. You will find out news about rallies that are happening in your area, and you will have the chance to attend them. It is a great chance for you to be involved in a good cause and make a difference in the world. It may not feel like much is happening at first, but the continued efforts of students against sweatshops will someday bring down the inhumane practices.
While it may seem like it would be impossible to reach the large corporations, it is definitely feasible. The greatest weapon that protestors can have is truly the number of people who are involved. By going out to some of the regular protests that occur, you can bring strength in numbers to the protestors. Eventually, the large corporations will have no choice but to rethink their evil ways. This could mean more expensive products for consumers since they will be paying fair wages. But it is definitely worth it in the long run to promote the fair treatment of people everywhere.
Besides simply protesting, you can also contribute money to help fight for the cause. These funds are used to help non-profit organizations devoted to bringing down offshore sweatshops. Some of them even help the workers to get a different job and start earning money for themselves that isn’t from working at a sweatshop. It is a great thing to fight for, as it will liberate people across the world from something close to enslavement.
If you would like to join the students against sweatshops national organization, you can simply visit their web page and register yourself there as someone who is against sweatshops. You will find out news about rallies that are happening in your area, and you will have the chance to attend them. It is a great chance for you to be involved in a good cause and make a difference in the world. It may not feel like much is happening at first, but the continued efforts of students against sweatshops will someday bring down the inhumane practices.
Nike Sweatshops are some of the Biggest Offenders
The widespread use of sweatshops across the world has been becoming more and more apparent in recent years, when large corporations have been exposed for their use of sweatshops. One of these corporations is Nike, who use many foreign workers to create their shoes. The workers overseas are forced to work to support their families while Nike makes millions of dollars profiting off of the sales of those very same shoes. Read on to find out about some of the atrocities that Nike is responsible for, and hopefully you will rethink your choices the next time you go to buy a pair of shoes.
The Nike sweatshops used to have much worse conditions before a huge scandal blew it open and people began to realize what was going on. Since then, many have reformed and begun to allow for nicer working conditions. However, the sweatshops still exist and they still pay the workers next to nothing. The workers take these jobs because they don’t have any other choices in the local economy. The entire economy of the local region is deflated. People have less money, so people can spend less money. It affects not only the sweatshop workers, but everyone in the region who does any buying and selling.
The working conditions in the Nike sweatshops were one of the worst parts of the whole deal. The workers were often subjected to working in very small areas with poor lighting. Much of the work involves working with tools to create the shoes, and in these poor conditions it was very common for injuries to occur, resulting in punctured hands or crushed digits. The work days were also exhaustive, and for the average worker to support her family, she would have to work for more than 15 hours a day.
The cried of protestors did not fall on deaf ears. The corporations that are the most guilty of exploiting sweatshop workers have slowly but surely been improving things. Wages have been increased (although infinitesimally) and the conditions have been raised to rival factories in the USA. But the fact still remains that in many places people are being exploited for labor. This is not something that we as humans should allow.
The Nike sweatshops used to have much worse conditions before a huge scandal blew it open and people began to realize what was going on. Since then, many have reformed and begun to allow for nicer working conditions. However, the sweatshops still exist and they still pay the workers next to nothing. The workers take these jobs because they don’t have any other choices in the local economy. The entire economy of the local region is deflated. People have less money, so people can spend less money. It affects not only the sweatshop workers, but everyone in the region who does any buying and selling.
The working conditions in the Nike sweatshops were one of the worst parts of the whole deal. The workers were often subjected to working in very small areas with poor lighting. Much of the work involves working with tools to create the shoes, and in these poor conditions it was very common for injuries to occur, resulting in punctured hands or crushed digits. The work days were also exhaustive, and for the average worker to support her family, she would have to work for more than 15 hours a day.
The cried of protestors did not fall on deaf ears. The corporations that are the most guilty of exploiting sweatshop workers have slowly but surely been improving things. Wages have been increased (although infinitesimally) and the conditions have been raised to rival factories in the USA. But the fact still remains that in many places people are being exploited for labor. This is not something that we as humans should allow.
Child Labor Laws Protect Children from Being Exploited.
Child labor laws are a fairly modern concept. 500 years ago, you would have been hard pressed to find someone who had a problem with putting a child to work. It used to be seen as a way for the child to become an adult and learn a trade to make a living from. But this all changed with the industrial revolution, when most work stopped requiring skill. The kids could go to work all day and not learn a thing. They could come home with a miniscule amount of money, and possibly one less limb. These changes in the very basis of employment have caused for a lot of concern over the well-being of children who go to work, and therefore resulted in child labor laws.
Child labor laws are different in every country. In some less developed countries, we see almost no child labor laws. This is why some large corporations seem to be attracted towards setting up factories, also known as sweat shops, in these countries. These countries have a slight economy boost from putting kids at work, and therefore the laws aren’t likely to change. Often they see no reason to change, since it seems like a perfectly natural thing to do.
In countries like the United States, child labor laws have been put in place, and are heavily enforced. These protect children from being exploited, and allow them to live the lives of normal children. Some children are allowed to have jobs once they reach a certain age, but they can never be given a job against their will. The working conditions for the jobs are always very ideal, according to the laws. The child will only have a certain number of things that he can do, such as mowing lawns or raking leaves. They are meant to teach work ethic rather than to earn a living.
Fortunately, as Americans we live in a country that has seen the backwards ways of putting children at work. Now we can enjoy freedom for our children, and focus on helping other countries to see the evils of it. We can also make efforts to protest the corporations that use these sweatshops the most.
Child labor laws are different in every country. In some less developed countries, we see almost no child labor laws. This is why some large corporations seem to be attracted towards setting up factories, also known as sweat shops, in these countries. These countries have a slight economy boost from putting kids at work, and therefore the laws aren’t likely to change. Often they see no reason to change, since it seems like a perfectly natural thing to do.
In countries like the United States, child labor laws have been put in place, and are heavily enforced. These protect children from being exploited, and allow them to live the lives of normal children. Some children are allowed to have jobs once they reach a certain age, but they can never be given a job against their will. The working conditions for the jobs are always very ideal, according to the laws. The child will only have a certain number of things that he can do, such as mowing lawns or raking leaves. They are meant to teach work ethic rather than to earn a living.
Fortunately, as Americans we live in a country that has seen the backwards ways of putting children at work. Now we can enjoy freedom for our children, and focus on helping other countries to see the evils of it. We can also make efforts to protest the corporations that use these sweatshops the most.
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