...Sweatshops in Developing Economies: Overworked, Little Pay An Annotated Bibliography Timothy, Jeannine P. “Sweatshops in Paradise: A True Story of Slavery in Modern America.” Utah Bar Journal 27.2 (2014): 36-38. Legal Connection. Web. 16 Mar. 2016. This article is a book review done by the author, Jeannine Timothy. Timothy goes on to talk about a lady named Virginia Lynn Sudbury and how wonderful she is as a person. Virginia article is informative about the Vietnam sweatshops. As Timothy states, “The first reason is to learn of the astounding, heartbreaking, and recent practice of human slavery and servitude that occurred in American Samoa.” (page 36) Jeannine thinks of Virginia as an outstanding human being. They met during a court case regarding a child and its guardian. She then read into the story of Virginia and how she encountered a one in a lifetime experience dealing with how sweatshops mistreated women. The theme of this article is to tell how inspiring Virginia is and to go into greater detail of Virginia’s story. Because I am arguing that sweatshops overworked people, this article will help me explain that. Powell, Benjamin. “Meet the Old Sweatshops.” Independent Review 19.1 (2014): 109. Advanced Placement Source. Web. 28 Mar. 2016. Benjamin Powell claims that sweatshops have low minimum wage. The article also includes working long hours and being in horrible working conditions dealing with safe and healthiness. Sweatshops helps the economy...
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...By definition a sweatshop is a “negatively connoted term for any working environment considered to be unacceptably difficult or dangerous. Sweatshop workers often work long hours for very low pay in horrible conditions, regardless of laws mandating overtime pay and or minimum wage”. Many corporations in the United States use sweatshop labor in countries over seas such as China to produce their products at a lower cost. As entailed in the letter from a man born in China, many citizens on these countries resort to factory labor to support themselves to escape other sources on income such as prostitution. Without these corporations usage of oversea sweatshops these employees would be forced to return to self-demeaning jobs such as these. However, does the mere fact that overseas factory labor is allowing these people to support themselves and their families provide moral justification for the poor work conditions, and low wages that sweatshop labor provides? German philosopher Immanuel Kant would argue that there must be changes made in the politics of sweatshops to improve there conditions. Using his idea of the “Categorical Imperative” and treating people as “valuable in themselves” Kant would not completely take away the opportunity for these people to support themselves working in factories but make it a more humane system. Utilitarian philosophy would identify the good that these sweatshops are providing for the people overseas, and recognize the harm that could be caused to...
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...Labor Practices Paper Dante C. Dumas PHL/320 Sept. 29, 2015 John Noel Labor Practices Paper In many countries across this world, people are being used and regularly mistreated in warehouses and buildings called "sweatshops." A sweatshop is an atmosphere where people work for very little or sometimes no money, making and manufacturing products for large companies. Along with the hazardous conditions, people who work in sweatshops are often mistreated by the people who run them. Women and children are among the workers of sweatshops and are often mentally, physically and sexually abused. This is what is considered to be modern day slavery to the extreme. In the United States, a "sweatshop" is said to be a factory that violates two or more labor laws, yet American companies still utilize these shops in order to make the substantial profit. In many countries where poverty is high, there are over 150 million young children who work in sweatshops. Most of the population of sweatshop workers is located in Asia and the Pacific region of the world. As consumer demands are raised for products, the more likely the use of sweatshops are put into play. When a company like Nike is expecting to sell a shoe that is in high in demand like the Jordan retro shoe, greed kicks in because these shoes cost two hundred dollars. If a thousand shoes get made per day in a sweatshop by one hundred workers, the profit is huge. You would pay out about two dollars per day to workers plus shipping...
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...A Case Analysis of Nike: The Sweatshop Debate Mindi Merritt Class Fall 2014 Instructor’s Name Introduction Nike is a hugely successful global industry that designs and markets shoes and apparel (Coakley & Kates, 2013). Most of Nike’s products are subcontracted and manufactured overseas in countries such as China, India, Vietnam, Indonesia and Korea. For decades, Nike has been embroiled in controversy where critics claim its products are manufactured in foreign factories with substandard working conditions and disregard to labor laws (Powell & Zwolinski, 2012). As a result, Nike has initiated numerous policy changes in an effort to silence these criticisms. While Nike has definitely made great strides in turning around its image, it continues to struggle with allegations from critics. Nike’s Responsibility for Working Conditions Should Nike be held responsible for working conditions in foreign factories that it does not own, but where subcontractors make products for Nike? Nike should be held responsible for the working conditions in foreign factories where subcontractors make products the company sells. Although Nike does not actually own the foreign factories, the workers are employees of Nike and Nike is the beneficiary of the products they are making. Thus, Nike is responsible (at least in part) of the working conditions endured by those that work there. Labor Standards of Foreign Factories What labor standards regarding safety, working conditions...
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...Labor Practices Labor Practices A growing demand on consumer goods require goods and apparel to be made quickly. For many consumers, purchasing new apparel or goods is dependent on the price. Consumers want low price apparel items and are usually willing to shop around to find the best deal. Many consumers are not paying attention to where the goods came from and if they were manufactured in sweatshops and clothing companies are not disclosing if their items were manufactured in such facility. Should apparel companies be forced to disclose the work conditions of where their items are made? Yes, apparel companies should either disclose the information or require their manufacturers to sign a fair labor contract. In this paper, Beverly will discuss how consumer demands affect a company’s business decisions, review how different ethical perspectives guide ethical decision making and explain how a company influences their ethical environment. Consumer Demands and Business Decisions Without consumers, businesses would not be able to expand and grow, so businesses try to pay close attention to what the consumer wants. When it comes to apparel, consumers want to know they are getting the best deal and the lowest price, especially with a shaky economy. In order for businesses to maintain the demand of low prices and stay competitive, they have to outsource their manufacturing to low cost companies, many of which are overseas. Some of these companies knowingly use sweatshop labor...
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...1. Assume that you are executive of a large U.S. multinational cooperation planning to open a new manufacturing plants in China and India to save on labor cost. What factors should you consider when making your decision? Is labor outsourcing to developing countries a legitimate business strategy that can be handled without risk of running into a sweatshop scandal? As an executive of a large U.S. multinational corporation planning to open a new manufacturing plants in China and India to save on labor cost. There are a few factors that must consider when making the decision. The factors are including the environment business of the both country. First factor that must be consider is regulations and laws of the country. It is a very important thing that the producer must care when planning to open a new business in a foreign country. It is because the business cannot against the regulations of the country that can be affect the business such as the company must close their business in the country. The regulations and laws that the producers must be mention such as minimum wage laws, labor laws, safety and sanitation requirement, and trade union organizing provision. This regulations and laws is made because the country have to protect their labor right. Second factors that the producers must consider to come in the foreign country is the culture of the country. It factor is important for producer to make their business suitable and acceptable by the country. It is because...
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...Global Business Ethics-Nike’s Sweatshops Ann T. Dale MGT/216 Global Business Ethics-Nike’s Sweatshops Nike is a worldwide sports name in wear and equipment. So, why is Nike’s ethics in question? Has greed and publicity become their motto at any costs? Nike spends multimillion dollars a year hiring well-known athletes to advertise their products yet cannot seem to stay out of the media’s eye of their contracting or subcontracting techniques of their products to be built in third world countries. In 1996, Nike has been charged by critics with engaging in a variety of unethical employment practices in countries that exercise little or no control over the conditions of labor or whose governments are corrupt and can be bought off (De George, 2006, chap. 20). In dealing with business issues, a company needs to be aware (what are the issues), articulate (justify and express decisions), and application (reach a decision, train and explain ethics to employees). Ethical behavior has to start at the top of a company and work its way down. Here we will compare ethical perceptions across cultures about the ethical situation, discuss the ethical issues that became evident due to globalization, and discuss the risks and consequences associated with the Nike ethical dilemma. Compare Ethical Perceptions Across Cultures About the Ethical Situation Trevino and Nelson (2007) defines business best stating the “definition of ethics—the principles, norms, and standards of conduct governing...
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...Sweatshop Labor Tiffany Carter PHL 320 April 18, 2016 Douglas Reed Sweatshop Labor Sweatshop labor is used to increase production and profitable revenue within a company for the least amount of extra time and money. Using sweatshop labor is often times used to keep up with consumer demands, while the ethical perspectives of the company are jeopardized leaving the company's ethical environment extremely questionable. Sweatshop labor is against more than two labor laws and is a environment which is prevalent all over the world. Laws have been created to help eliminate and punish companies which use sweatshop labor. Consumer demands often times drive companies to utilize sweatshops for production. When demands from the consumer increase companies look for ways to increase production at the lowest cost possible. They fail to see the unlawfulness and ethics violations that go along with labor law violators. The rise in revenue for companies which use sweatshops is very benefiting if the company is not found to be using sweatshops. Decisions like these normally come from high ranking officials who are only thinking about the bottom line of revenue and not the violations and fines the company will have to pay for. Different ethical perspectives guide decision making when the gains are better than the current situation the company may be experiencing. The unethical decisions which are made normally benefit a few select members of a company for only their personal gains in...
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...Labor Practices - Sweatshops Astrid Vargas PHL/320 April 6, 2015 Jennifer Stephens A “sweatshop” is defined by the United States Department of Labor as a factory that violates two or more labor laws. The use of questionable labor practices, popularly knows as “sweatshop labor”, is widespread in the production of consumer goods (Paharia, 2013). Major international brands such as Nike and Apple are some of the high-profile companies that have been exposed to such labor abuses. Most members of society automatically consider sweatshops as an unacceptable source of labor because they are known for subjecting employees to dangerous and unsanitary labor conditions. Research organizations have consistently found that while economists and activists disagree about the costs and benefits of such practices, consumers have a strong preference to purchase products made without sweatshop labor. Mostly because consumers are concerned and often disturbed when labor abuses occur but the demand for products that guarantee favorable working conditions remains low. Unfortunately, there are a variety of reasons that explain why this is an ongoing, conflicting situation. While surveys and research suggest that people do not endorse the use of sweatshop labor, actions speak louder than words. If consumers really cared as they stated, there would be more demand for sweatshop free products and companies to profit from such products. Consumers may not really disapprove of these practices and instead...
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...Labor Practices Paper PHL 320 October 24, 2015 Joseph Aguirre Labor Practices Paper When the word sweatshop labor is mentioned people associate it with poor working conditions, child labor, unfair wages, unreasonable working hours, and unfair benefits for employees. The According to "The State Of California Labor And Workforce Development Agency" (2010), “ Sweatshop is defined as a factory that violates two or more labor laws. Sweatshops often have poor working conditions, unfair wages, unreasonable hours, child labor, and lack of benefits for workers.” Companies think they are doing the citizens in these other countries a favor by giving them and their children a job, giving them income. The companies still need to follow rules and regulations. Consumer demands and the effect on a company's business decision The more product a consumer wants, the more demand is put on the company to produce the product. The company will do whatever they can to produce the product and try to keep the cost down for the consumer. "A study showed that doubling the salary of sweatshop workers would only increase the consumer cost of an item by 1.8% while consumers would be willing to pay 15% more to know a product did not come from a sweatshop," ("Dosomething.org," 2014). If consumers are willing to pay more for the product, the factory would not be considered a sweatshop if they paid their employees had a salary increase. Sweatshop labor is a cruel way of forcing people who are desperate for...
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...overturn problematic problems in order to establish a successful commerce in a foreign country. Some of the legal, cultural, and ethical challenges that confront Nike’s global business are child labor laws, wages, and outsourcings of manufacturing. Nike sweatshop labor case like those described in “Nike: The Sweatshop Debate” has agitated a large sum of controversy over business ethics. The first case illustrates how Nike has inadvertly managed to oversee that those companies they subcontract do not follow international labor laws, including those pertinent to the country the employees are working from. An example is the employee Lap, interviewed in the article. The employee is exploited, “Her basic wage, even as sewing team leader, still doesn’t amount to the minimum wage . . . . She’s down to 85 pounds. Like most of the young women who make shoes, she has little choice but to accept the low wages and long hours. Nike says that it requires all subcontractors to obey local laws; but Lap has already put in much more overtime than the annual legal limit: 200 hours.” Another evident situation that challenges business ethics is the cultural depreciation in the countries where Nike contracts with manufacturer subcontractors. Countries like China and Indonesia close to non-existent labor laws, “The majority of Nike shoes are made in Indonesia and China, countries with governments that prohibit independent unions and set the minimum wage at rock bottom. The Indonesian government...
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...company In 2003, Gap Inc. was sued for its usage of child labor and sweatshop factories in its subsidiary in Saipan. The decision to use child labor and sweatshop in Saipan was made by the management of Gap Inc. that could either be seen as egoism or utilitarianism (Smith, 2004). On one hand, on the egoism perspective, Gap Inc. could have decided to use child and sweatshop labor to cut its costs and maximize its profits. On the other hand, on the utilitarianism perspective, Gap’s decision to use child and sweatshop labor, cruel and ethical as it might seem, provided the people in Saipan a source of employment and income. As a poor, third world country, Saipan could not create enough jobs to sustain the livelihood of all its citizens, so it the citizens could choose between starving to death and making a difficult living in Gap’s sweatshops, the sweatshop is apparently a better option. Hence from the utilitarianism approach, Gap’s unethical behavior was actually better than its doing nothing at all. However, this decision gave Gap an international lawsuit over ethical treatment of labor, which does not cost Gap considerable fortune and energy, but also severely harmed its international reputation as an ethical player in the apparel industry (Smith, 2004). It turned out that the public citizens and the media prefer to use the Kantianism when viewing a corporate ethical issue (Iwanow and McEachem, 2005). After this Saipan sweatshop incident, the stakeholders of Gap Inc. placed huge pressure...
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...Labor Practices Paper Calvan Means PHL/320 March 28, 2016 Chris Mendoza Sweatshops are factories where worker endure unhealthy and exploitive conditions, such as long hours, unventilated workspaces, low wages, or exposure to toxic materials. The garment industry is often associated with the term sweatshops. The economy is becoming more globalized, and sweatshops produce a growing share of the consumer's products in developed countries. Product cost decrease because sweatshops keep production cost down. American know little about where their clothing was produced. Most garment sweatshops are located overseas such as China and Asia. Kathy Lee Gifford announced that some of the clothing Walmart sold were made by Honduran children working 20 hours shifts. It is not common to see child labor but it some countries it is normal. Not only do children have to work in for low wages and in extreme conditions but women also suffer. How does consumer demand affect a company's business decision? When demand for a particular products is high, you have to be able to meet the consumers' needs by having the product available. That's why so many businesses look for production companies to produce their good and sweatshops are the best route to go. If you hired one individual to make your garments, you would not have enough product to service all your clientele especially if it's a popular item. A company is not going to spend a $100 to make $20. That just not how it is going to work...
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...Sweatshop is Conflicts With the Moral Standards PMP 400 Quan Zhang ( Lyla) Royal Roads University Elvira Perrella March 9, 2015 Sweatshop is Conflicts With the Moral Standards Green, B., & Norton, S. (2011). Reading. In. W, Anne & M. Laura ( Eds.), Essay essentials with readings (pp. 336- 341). Toronto, ON: Nelson Education Ltd. In the article, before the research, like many people, the author’s attitude was old, but after the research, the author’s attitude changed. The author chose the country of Bangladeshi to illustrate her point that working in a sweatshop can be a positive experience for women in developing countries by focusing primarily on one country. First, she argued that sweatshops offer jobs for women and give them the opportunity to improve the quality of their lives. Second, women can experience some independence about managing their finances and choosing their marriages although they have the small income. In this article, the author used others’ opinion, details and facts to develop her topic. The data and cases were enough to prove the argument, and the evidence was very creditable and believable. Although this article argued in the opposite way with me, it gave my article a new perspective about the sweatshop labors. What's more, the author gave me a good evidence about counterargument, which work at the sweatshop is better than no jobs. Then I can refutation this counterargument that the sweatshop conflicts with the moral...
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...Case Study "Nike: The Sweatshop Debate" Sarah Martin MGT 448 July 27, 2011 Kenneth Peter Case Study "Nike: The Sweatshop Debate" “We’ve run the course – from establishing codes of conduct and pulling together an internal team to enforce it, to working external bodies to monitor factories and engaging with stakeholders” (Nikebiz, para. 2). The creation of this code of conduct came after serious allegations of using sweatshops with women and children working in hazardous conditions for less than minimum wage in overseas factories scattered across the globe to make their product. This paper uses the case study entitled, “Nike: The Sweatshop Debate,” to describe the legal, cultural, and ethical challenges that confront Nike’s global business. This paper will also determine the various roles that host governments have played as well as summarize the strategic and operational challenges that face global management for the Nike Corporation. Bill Bowerman, a track and field coach at the University of Oregon, and Phil Knight, a talented middle-distance runner from Portland, “shook hands to form Blue Ribbon Sports, pledged $500 each, and placed their first order of 300 pairs of shoes in January 1964” (Nikebiz, para. 1). In 1965, they hired their first employee, Jeff Johnson, to manage the growing requirements. In 1971, he conjured up the name Nike. According to the case study, the profits and success that the Nike Corporation has gained has affected hundreds of thousands of workers...
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