Made in Sweatshop

Photo credit on reference below

Article Summary- Blog #1

The news article entitled “Despite Obama’s Praise for Higher pay, The Gap Inc. has Spotty Record on Sweatshops” by David Boyer is published in March 16, 2014 through www.washingtontimes.com (Boyer, 2014 September 9). In this article, the author argues that Gap’s wage increase for U.S retail workers is insufficient in obtaining labor equality because the company is still reported to exploit workers in developing countries (Boyer, 2014 September 9). Boyer contends the Gap Inc’s labour equality initiatives are ineffective due to challenges in monitoring their policies overseas. (Boyer, 2014 September 9). 

Boyer points out that policies against sweatshops are difficult to enforce because they are “nonbinding” rules made by the company (Boyer, 2014 September 9). This means that anti-sweatshop policies are merely “optional” and voluntary initiatives, as opposed to a mandatory legal requirement which government bodies can enforce. Hence, if being socially responsible is merely an option rather than a mandatory rule, labour equality initiatives by corporations such as the Gap Inc. will remain futile. The author is pushing for a better monitoring system and legal regulation to ensure improved working conditions in developing nations.

 The raise in minimum wage for U.S workers for the Gap Inc. merely reinforces "symbolic change” which creates better media publicity and attracting praise from politicians like President Obama (Boyer, 2014 September 9). Even though anti-sweatshop policies are in place, evidence suggests that Gap’s factory workers in Asia are not being treated fairly (Boyer, 2014 September 9). The invisibility of workers in the Third World concerns the author as it is harder to detect inequality. For instance, a human rights group reported that in Bangladesh, “Physical punishment and illegal firings are the norm (…) Pregnant women are illegally terminated and denied their legal paid maternity leave” (Boyer, 2014 September 9). Indeed, there is a lack of regard for worker’s job security overseas because the hidden agenda of profit-making is still in existence. The author is advocating consumers to be critical of companies and goods we patronize. Indeed, we as consumers have the obligation to ensure that products we purchase come from ethical means. 

Blogger’s Commentary:

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           In our opinion, labour equality can be achieved through a combined effort between these three parties: the corporation, the government, and the consumers. If all these three constituents voice their equality goals and needs, there will be a higher standard of what socially responsible really means in business context. In what follows, we will discuss the role of the corporation, the state and the community’s contribution in promoting socially responsible and ethical business practice.

Corporations have to have to apply a progressive business principle which should extend beyond maximizing profit by considering the well-being of workers. Those who enter into business activities should voluntarily accept both the privileges and responsibilities of profit making.Companies should realize that the only way to ensure long-term financial gain is by respecting the rights of others who are directly affected by their business activities. 

Governmental bodies have to take a more active role in protecting workers welfare. Workers are what keeps the economy going, hence we need stricter rules to protect labour rights. We need more auditing and monitoring in factories in developing nations to protect vulnerable workers from exploitation. This monitoring agencies must be an independent body, not paid by the company to ensure objectivity.  

Our last point is that the consumers should realize that social justice would only be possible if we are willing to pay the full-cost of goods and services. For us average Joe “bargain-hunters”, we have to realize that lower-priced goods is not always good for our economy because it imposes pressure on companies to reduce labour expense. We need increased awareness of how available goods and items are obtained by companies. We as consumers have to take proactive roles in ensuring that goods are obtained ethically. Customers are the ones that create a market demand for a business to act upon a policy. North American consumer culture also must change, they should not merely purchase goods on the basis of it being cheap. 

To conclude, all three parties (the corporation, the government and consumers) must take steps to obtain equality in the workforce. When profit is regarded as equally important as worker’s rights, there is a higher likelihood that sweatshop-like conditions will be eliminated in society.

Feedback Questions: 

1.)   Who should be held responsible for exploiting overseas garment workers?

2.)   What should be the proper consequences or penalties given to parties that involve in unethical business practices such as sweatshop? 

3.)   What can we do as socially responsible citizens to fight labour abuse?

Reference:

A. Anchung, Photo Retrieved September 14, 2013. “How Was Your First Day In 6^th Grade?” <http://blogs.ksbe.edu/anchung/>

Ancheta, Germaine. Photos retrieved September 13, 2013. “Human Trafficking in the Clothing Industry. <http://hist258.wikispaces.com/Forced+Child+Labor>

Boyer, D. (n.d.). Despite Obama’s praise for higher pay, The Gap Inc. has spotty record on sweatshops. Washington Times. Retrieved September 9, 2014, from http://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2014/mar/16/despite-obamas-praise-for-higher-pay-gaps-has-spot/?page=all.