Sweat Shops Vs. Ethics

Sweat Shops vs. Ethics

Robert Haro

PHL/320

02/01/2015

Lesley Pullium

Companies always strive to operate in such a manner that would maximize profits while keeping cost down, as the demand and supply of consumers increases. Not only do these factors affect a companies decision, but the need to stay competitive with other companies is a major driving factor as well. Companies have every right to ensure the company is successful, But do companies go to far when it comes to trading lower prices and max profits? Are companies willing to break laws and destroy human rights? Sadly, the answer is yes. 

Companies have taken advantage of globalization by setting up shop in other countries, which have lower standards for labor laws and lower operating fees. By operating in other countries, companies don't have to pay the minimum wage, don't have to abide by stringent laws, which saves alot of money, and are able to cut corners in production. Companies are even allowed to hire children at a early wage, a practice that is against the law to do in the United States.  Nearly every major company has set up shop overseas to feed the demand for products in the global market. The majority of workers make a mere $2 a day of labor. This work day, which is not a 8 hour day like we are used to, can be ass long as 10-12 hour days in horrible conditions.     

The gain made from products being made overseas is staggering, yet consumers would rather overlook the details of how the product is made in order to save money. Take for instance the garment industry, which uses sweat shops for clothes, shoes, blankets and other goods. These kind of sweat shops are located all over the world, but is mainly focused in China, where the overwhelming population contributes to a larger workforce. The average cost to make a shirt in China in a sweat shop is under 1$, which is then sold in other countries for up to 20$ and even more. "more than 482 million people in China – 36% of the population – live on less than $2 a day. In total 85% of China’s poor live in rural areas and extreme poverty forces many of them to leave the countryside in search of employment in urban areas."