Term Paper on "Unfair Labor Laws and Sweatshops"

Term Paper 6 pages (1532 words) Sources: 1+

[EXCERPT] . . . .

Unfair labor laws and sweatshops have been a topic of debate for many years. The existence of sweatshops is particularly prevalent in third world countries. The purpose of this paper is to discuss sweatshops and their impact on the world. Let us begin this discussion with a definition of sweatshop.

Definition of a Sweatshop

Sweatshops are factories that produce apparel, shoes and other merchandise where employees work under extreme conditions for very little pay. Most sweatshops employ women, children and other unskilled laborers. (Sweating System)

In addition, employees work for very long hours as much as 18 hours per day and the conditions are often unsanitary. (Sweating System)

An article in the Yale Law Journal asserts that a sweatshop "is a business that regularly violates both wage or child labor laws and safety or health regulations.(10) the terms "chronic labor law violators" or "multiple labor law violators" have been used synonymously with the term "sweatshops."(Foo)

Sweatshops became illegal in the United States with the passing of the Fair Labor Standards Act. (Sweating System)

However, many American companies sell and purchase products from sweatshops in other countries. In addition, some American companies still run sweatshops in America and prey upon immigrants to supply the labor.

Sweatshops and the underground economy

According to an article found in the Yale Law Journal, several California Companies have engaged in operations with the underground economy. The article explains, "Hundreds of thousands of California workers, primarily immigrants, who toil in "sweatshops" in the garment and restaurant industries, have been cheated out of billions of dollars in wages owed to them under federal minimum wage and maximum hour laws. (Foo)

The article asserts that these factories are not really underground and that they abuse labor laws in a very flagrant manner. (Foo)

The article also explains that they prey on immigrants because many are in the country illegally and fear reporting the abuse to the authorities. (Foo)

In addition, many of them are from countries that have even lower wages and much of the money they receive is sent back to family members in their countries of origin. (Foo)

The article explains that in addition to the easy exploitation of immigrants, there are also other reasons why sweatshops exist. (Foo)

One such reason is the subcontracting structure that exists in the country. The article explains that subcontracting has grown rapidly and has had a debilitating effect on wages. (Foo)

The author explains that as much as 50% of women's apparel that is made in the U.S. is created in sweatshops. (Foo)

Although there are several labor laws that prohibit labor abuses, these regulations have proven unsuccessful in many places throughout the world. Acccording to an article found in Policy Studies Journal

Recent accounts of the proliferation of "sweatshops" and deplorable conditions of work in both developing and industrialized countries call into question the effectiveness of existing systems of governance over labor practices (Chan, 2001; Block, Roberts, Ozeki, & Roomkin, 2001; Compa, 2001; Jeffcott & Yanz, 1999). Nongovernmental organizations (NGOs), unions, consumers, and even some firms -- for different reasons -- criticize current systems of labor standards and enforcement for their opaque processes, limited scope and coverage, weak capacities of regulators, limited leverage over recalcitrant firms, and general ineffectiveness (Nadvi & Waltring, 2001). These critiques have grown louder in the face of new challenges of regulating global firms and their mobile supply chains. Traditional labor regulations and the government-implemented monitoring and enforcement systems on which they depend appear simply to be outpaced by changes in the global economy."(Foo)

Indeed, changes in the global economy have added to the proliferation of sweatshops. The robust economies of the west and in Asia have created a great demand for apparel and electronics. This coupled with the increases in the costs of living have made sweatshops very difficult to stop. In addition, large discount chains are able to provide consumers with high quality products at extremely low prices. Many consumers do not take the time to investigate why the price of these products are so low.

According to sweatshop.org, many of these prices are so low because Wal-Mart's products are manufactured in sweatshops. According to the site Wal-Mart get a grade of F. For the use of sweatshops in the manufacturing of products that it sells. Stores like JcPenney and Sears received a D- on the retailer scoreboard. While stores such as Target and Kohl's both received D+ on the retailer scoreboard.

The site explains that these retailers have frequently and routinely used sweatshop labor to supply products to consumers. The site explains that Wal-mart, the world's largest retailer, has along been associated with sweatshop labor and for mistreating its workers. (Ten Ways to end Sweatshops) the site asserts that is very difficult to know which stores sell products that were made from sweatshop labor. (Ten Ways to end Sweatshops)

For this reason, the organization has listed the retailers that use sweatshop labor and compiled ten ways to end sweatshop labor.

How to End the proliferation of Sweatshops

Attempting to find ways to rectify this situation is not a new phenomenon. Opponents have been fighting against the deplorable conditions in sweatshops for many years. According to the website, there are ten ways to end the proliferation of sweat shops. These steps are as follows;

Use the clout of shareholders- the site contends that if a person own stock in a company they should be sure to vote on proxy ballots that require the company to improve conditions for workers. (Ten Ways to end Sweatshops)

In addition, the site explains that investors can place their money in mutual funds which refuse to invest in companies that are not addressing labor issues. (Ten Ways to end Sweatshops)

Some of these mutual funds will only invest in companies if they agree not to sell products that are manufactured in sweatshops. (Ten Ways to end Sweatshops)

Local Organization- the site explains that local organization is a key component in the effort to end sweatshop labor. (Ten Ways to end Sweatshops)

The site asserts that people should address their city's school board a government to enact a sweat-free policy, which prohibits the city from purchasing supplies, and products that are produced in sweatshops. (Ten Ways to end Sweatshops)

In addition, the site encourages students to attempt to employ these same policies at the colleges and the universities that they attend. (Ten Ways to end Sweatshops)

Supporting campaigns for fair trade - this can be done by contacting companies and asking them to purchase fair trade products. (Ten Ways to end Sweatshops)

Purchase union-made, local, and secondhand- the organization asserts that consumers that are concerned about ending sweatshop labor should purchase their products from local, union-made and second hand stores. (Ten Ways to end Sweatshops)

The site asserts that products that are manufactured for these three entities are socially responsible and tend not to use sweatshop labor. (Ten Ways to end Sweatshops)

Support Co op America- Co op America is an organization that was created to deal with companies such as Wal-mart. Co-op America places pressure on Wal-Mart to improve worker conditions. (Ten Ways to end Sweatshops) the site explains that the co-op pressures Wal-Mart "to adopt a vendor code of conduct based on the international labor organization standards and to use third party auditors to check its suppliers' compliance." (Ten Ways to end Sweatshops)

Collective action- the site asserts that there is power in the use of collective action. The organization explains that those that want to end sweatshop labor should take action within their community and within the organizations that they belong to such as church, a baseball league or alumni associations. • (Ten Ways to end Sweatshops)

Attempt to ensure that your gatherings utilize commodities such as tea and coffee, which are fair trade. (Ten… READ MORE

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