“Do not impose on others what you do not wish for yourself.” – Confucius Applying the Golden Rule - refusing to engage in intentional and avoidable harm - promoting the overall welfare of host country citizens - avoiding violation of host country norms
Scenario: Company X in host country allows unsafe practices such as workers climbing high-rise structures without proper harnesses and safety lines or operation of loud machinery without hearing protection (ear plugs).
By home country’s safety regulations, these practices are deemed unsafe and clearly violate the golden rule. Switching roles with the workers, you would not want to put your life on the line every time you climb structures to do your job. Or you would not want your hearing to be impaired after years of operating loud machinery without hearing protection.
Therefore, there is a clear violation of the Golden Rule. Another scenario will be in the case of exploitation or slave labour.
Goodin’s 5 conditions:
1) Imbalance of power between the exploited and the dominant
2) Exploited party needs the resources provided by dominant party to protect his vital interest
3) Dominant party exercises discretionary control over this vital resource
4) Only access to this resource is through the exploitive relationship
5) Resources provided by the exploited are used without adequate compensation
By the Golden Rule, it is safe to assume that no one would want to be exploited or be enslaved and be stripped of any human rights and dignity.
Host countries’ regulations may not be very stringent and still allow such unsafe practices. Buying safety equipment and retraining workers on safety might cost
Company X more but ensure fewer workplace accidents and higher productivity