The Abuses of Labor Rights in the Work Place and
Its Relevance to the Community
Normally, an average human being ignores matters that do not directly apply to them. A detail that often slips the minds of many individuals is the issue of knowing where ones clothes are manufactured. One often forgets to consider whether or not the factories from which their clothes are made observe proper safety and health codes, or if they pay their employees a fair wage and respect the fundamental rights of laborers. Whose family member or friend sacrificed their well being and spirit to provide people with the clothes and shoes that are so often taken for granted? Because El Paso boarders Juraez, a city that has many maciladores or factories, the matter of addressing unfair working conditions in these “sweatshops” is a community problem that deserves attention.
First, in order to inform people of this community problem, on must be knowledgeable in the fundamental meaning of labor rights. Worker rights deal with the negotiation of fair wages for employees as well as certain benefits, and having safe working conditions (Lagan 2006). Many factory owners tend to ignore ethics in their work place and see their workers as nothing more than the amount of products they produce. Ethics are defined by societal values and what the economy believes to be imperative (Lagan 2006).What one believes to be unethical in one part of the world may be viewed as ethical to other individuals in a different area (Lagan 2006). However, in the work place there is a universal understanding of when employees are being abused and exploited by their bosses.
Fighting for just working conditions and wages has been a constant battle; it dates back all the way to the 1900’s when the International Ladies' Garment Workers' Union protested low pay, fifteen-hour workdays, no benefits, and unsafe working conditions (Now and Then Timeline). For the past century, labor unions have been formed, strikes have been carried out, and many factories shut down because they refuse to adhere to labor rights. The most recent address to this issue was in August 2, 1996 when President Clinton called together executives in the clothing industry to discuss how unions, government, and the clothes industry can work together to improve working conditions (Now and Then Timeline).
Although many efforts have been made to improve the working conditions in these factories, many women, men, and children all around the world, especially in third world countries, work in sweatshops with horrible conditions earning less than minimum wage to make the clothes and shoes we wear every day (Williams 2010) One might not think this still occurs in the twenty first century, but this issue is still alive and well in many areas. A factory in Africa that supplies the United States with merchandise was said to have been smuggling workers in from China and Bangladesh (Dorgan 2006). Here in the United States, employee’s labor rights are being violated by European owned companies; loop holes are being found and corners are being cut. Employees are working long hours and are not being compensated for the amount of hours they are putting in (US: European Corporate Hypocrisy 2010). The abuse of labor rights does not only occur in third world countries but also here in the Unites States.
picture#1
This is one of the many factories they have in China. The work space for each individual is ridiculously small. These employees are not seen as human beings, but rather as working machines that are only useful for the work they can perform.
The violence and abuse that goes on in these factories is unimaginable; the things that these factory and business owners get away with are outrageous. It shouldn’t matter where these factories are located. The value of human dignity does not depreciate as you go from country to country. Individuals in third world countries have a harder time advocating for their rights. Governmental control plays a huge role in the amount of rights an individual has in the work place (Lagan 2006) Places like India and China do not have the same governmental system as the United States does. There are more laws protecting individuals in the state than those in third world countries (Williams 2010)
Throughout my research, I have come to find that individuals living in third world countries do not understand the “oppression” we see them experiencing. To these workers, having a job and bringing money home to their families overshadows the fact that their working conditions are poor (Westervelt 2006). Third world countries develop slower; therefore, their governmental advancements are incomparable to those of the United States. Although it seems to onlookers that there have been no advancements in labor rights for employees, there has actually been substantial change (Millman 2009). We must realize that when addressing a problem it is fair to look at both sides of the coin.
The workers need these factories; they cannot afford to have them shut down because they won’t comply with labor laws. The employees at these factories ask us not to stop buying certain name brands but rather to take action to ensure that a company’s method of executing the production of goods is fair (Westervelt 2006).
picture#2
Nike is a very well know Sportswear Company that endorses many athletes. However, this company is notoriously known for having children working in their factories; their factories do not meet safe working requirements and Nike does not pay their employees just wages.
The most helpful and proactive way of addressing this problem is to advocate for awareness. Being informed and awareness is the first step to a well thought out execution plan. We all have a general idea about most issues going on around the world; however, once we are truly educated and informed on certain issues, it naturally becomes more personal. An individual can now take an educated stance on the issue. We should all care and be concerned about factory workers abuses because we are geographically located near an area that has many maciladores. Someone in our family or circle of friends could be feeling the abuse from these factories.
References
Dorgan, B. (2006, June 12). Sweatshops in Africa? Consider the Case of Jordan (1 Letter).
Retrieved October 6, 2010, from http://www.nytimes.com/2006/06/12/opinion/l12kristof.html
Lagan, Attracta, and Brian Moran. Three Dimensional Ethics: Implementing Workplace Values. Maleny: eContent Manaegment Pty Ltd, 2006. 1-172. Google Scholar. Web. 30 Sept. 2010. http://books.google.com/books?id=0Mef4G6gQu4C&printse
Millman, J. (2009, October 4). Sweatshops benefit poor. Retrieved September 30, 2010, from http://www.thelantern.com/opinion/sweatshops-benefit-poor-1.626775
Now & Then Timeline: Sweatshop Journal. (n.d.). Retrieved October 7, 2010, from
US: European Corporate Hypocrisy. (2010, September 2). Retrieved October 6, 2010, from http://www.hrw.org/en/news/2010/09/01/us-european-corporate-hypocrisy
Westervelt, M. (2006, February 27). Students Protest Sweatshops. The Exponent. Retrieved October 4, 2010, from http://www.globalexchange.org/campaigns/sweatshops/3782.html
Williams, M. (2010, October 6). At issue: Child Labor and Sweatshops. Retrieved October 6, 2010, from http://www.enotes.com/child-labor-article/38989
