...In America, the term, sweatshop, was properly coined in during the (American) Industrial Revolution. (Liebhold & Rubenstein, 1998) The very word, sweatshop appears intimidating because of the horrid history behind it and the very pillars in which the idea was based upon even the official definition of the word “sweatshop” means “a shop or factory in which employees work for long hours at low wages and under unhealthy conditions,” (Merriam-Webster, 2014). On the other hand, though the term is looked down upon, corporations still exist to this day using sweatshops as a form of labor in order to produce the product(s) they desire (Liebhold & Rubenstein, 1998). In order to completely comprehend the idea of why the proposal of the sweatshop...
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...Sweatshop Labor and Ethics What is sweatshop labor and is it unethical for clothing companies to engage in such practices? Sweatshop labor is a practice in which workers are taken advantage of by companies paying sub-standard wages and overworking them in difficult situations or dangerous environments. Sweatshops are most prevalent in the “apparel and shoe industries and in toy making.” (Meyers, 2004) Even if such exploitative relationships are mutually beneficial and driven by market demands, manufacturers are engaging in unethical labor practices and companies should forego such conduct “even when the conduct is legal.” (Mayer, 2007) Consumer Demand It can be argued that consumer demand can directly impact how companies make business decisions. Consumer demand can dictate the production of goods, which can cause companies to look towards the bottom line in order to maximize profits while minimizing cost. This can lead companies to make decisions that fall into an ethically grey area. Ethical Perspectives Ethical decision making can be guided by each individual’s ethical perspective. While each perspective has its own strengths, it also has its own weaknesses. Examining the business decisions resulting in the Challenger disaster in 1986 through a behavioral ethics perspective, analysts are able to demonstrate that ethically ambiguous decisions plague companies to this day. At the time, NASA was notified by the contractor that there was statistical information that...
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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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...单薄的一句承诺，终其一生的等待 ——《狼族少年》影评 这是一部讲述狼族少年与普通少女爱情故事的影片，或许情节略显老套，但是没有猜忌，没有误会，没有撕心裂肺，只有纯粹的感动，却是直戳人心底最柔软的角落。《狼族少年》塑造了一个温情的氛围。像是旧时期的家庭剧，昏黄色调的画面中，大人孩子围坐一桌吃着热腾腾的饭菜。 他，本是茹毛饮血、野性难驯的狼孩，是需要被掩盖的实验半残品，他不懂规矩，为了觅食，闯入她们家。当众人避之不及，警局不予过问时，是她善良的姐姐收留了他，给他人的待遇，面对他的抢食，姐姐只是温暖的抚慰抱怨的三个孩子，下顿我多做点，他那么可怜，你们多同情下他。 她，本是身体孱弱、性格孤僻的小孩，被一个无耻的爱慕者苦苦纠缠，对突然闯进的他，最初她看不惯他的粗鲁和愚笨，很是排斥。可是只会像狼“哼哼”的他，会帮她搬重物，会为她驱赶骚扰者，会在钢筋掉落时，护住她和家人，由于他一点一滴的介入，她开始走出孤僻的世界，融入孩子们各种各样的游戏，重拾欢笑。 她拿着训狗书慢慢学习，用食物做饵，教他如何细嚼慢咽，如何刷牙、系鞋带、写字、画画，她会弹琴唱歌给他听，把他打扮的稀奇古怪。而他，只要一个土豆、红薯或玉米，就能欢快的乖乖听话，每次学会做对后，他讨赏一般把头伸到她面前，满心期待的等着她温柔的抚摸，每次嬉戏玩耍时，都会对她察言观色，开心着她的开心。在他身上，人性的善良与单纯，美好的让人向往。 然而，现实社会怎么会那么简单的包容一个异类？在他的观念里，没有道德法律伦常，只有守护自己在乎的对象，所以，当她遇袭时，他愤怒的变成野性难训的狼人，全力守护，不惜杀人。人类对于未知的恐惧，只会加大我们防患于未然的防护，宁可错杀一千，不可使一人漏网。 他被关进了圈养牲畜的肮脏铁屋，脖子、脚脖都被手腕粗的铁链牢牢拴住，门外若干手持枪械的人一刻也不松懈的把守，或许我该为他庆幸，至少他没有像实验用的小白鼠被人化验，探究他为什么会变身，为什么抗打击，又为什么体温高于常人，衰老缓慢！ 残酷的现实里，只有她一家人体谅他，默默为他清扫脏臭的铁屋，姐姐依然关心他的吃住，她依然会去陪伴他。但是，现世没有他的安身之所，他想带她逃离，她却不愿成为世人追踪他的线索。听着他嘴里磕磕巴巴的第一次吐出不成句的“不要走”时，看到这里我的眼泪一下子就掉下来了。而她哭到崩溃，却也只能不停打他，用石头扔他，说着“对不起”驱逐他离开，而他只是愣愣的流着泪，不知所以然的看着她转身离去。 第一次分别，一晃就是47年，她早已远走他乡定居美国，因为老房屋的买卖重回故土，夜半，冥冥之中似乎有所牵引，她避开熟睡的孙女独自走向记忆中脏臭的铁屋。当她在响动中拉开了关着他的那个小铁屋子的门，早已经没有了当初的恶臭，只有他搬来的各种各样山花，她走向最里面用来关他的房间时，里面透出温暖的橙黄色的光。在她开门的瞬间，没有吱呀的声音，门被打开了，看到了嘴唇干裂的他。他的容貌没有改变，还是一如从前的他，依然在等着，坐在床上的屁股抬起来，想起身又怕她生气，就递给她一张纸条。那是她当年离开时留下的，当她接过纸条，看着上面模糊的字迹，写着“等我，我会再回来的”时，眼泪再也抑制不住了。...
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...“It’s a painful fact that boycotting goods made by sweatshop labor only hurts the workers, not the factory owners.” This statement from Human Rights is proven true by many revealing facts. Because of this, Americans should buy sweatshop made products. In fact, articles such as document 1 explains how unemployed children turn to prostitution in hopes of not starving out on the streets. Also, document 4 states that not only should we not boycott sweatshop made goods, but we should be adding more workers. Additionally, cartoons such as the one presented in document 7 shows how America is campaigning against the wrong issue. Therefore, these are the reasons why Americans should purchase goods produced in sweatshops. In document 1, the author...
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...NIKE AND SWEATSHOP LABOR Do you think the critic of Nike is fair, considering that the host countries in dire needs of creating job? It seems to me that critic of Nike is fair. It is because that If all places , mostly in dominating countries, are dominated by such an inappropriate and unconventional working environment, including overtime working without getting paid as well as hiring under-aged workers. Majority of those developing countries are in the midst of industrial transformation from agricultural to manufacturing industries. Also, many kids in poor families happened to be not going school because parents either have no money to support them or do not think it is important to educate their kids. So, Kids in these situations are mostly working for living and support their families. What do you think Nike’s executives might have done differently to prevent the sensitive charges of sweatshop labor in overseas factories? Before having a contract with local retail shops and manufactures, Nike might have made a strong contract policy that enhances the right of local workers as well as maintains a good working environment. Do firms need to consider the so-called corporate social responsibilities in making investment decision? I think that even though social responsibility has always been an ultimate goal to majority of foreign companies, this value seems to be avoided or less-considered when it comes to making investment decision. Firm can help them to...
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...We should improve child labor laws, so children can have the chance at a normal childhood. Child labor is a form of indentured servitude and child slavery, where children have no say in what work they do. From working in sweatshops to having low wages, child labor is a form of crime against humanity, and even a form of dehumanization. Child labor is why many people live in poverty today. This is why we need to enforce more laws on child labor. The sanitation that these kids are put in, is unsafe and the children are put at high risk. In “Child Labor and Sweatshops” by Charles Clark it says, “American shoppers may not know it, but many of the name-brand products they purchase - from clothing to carpets to sports equipment - were made under appalling...
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...Home › Social Awareness › Facts About Sweatshops Facts About Sweatshops BY ENDMODERNSLAVERY - PUBLISHED: 11/24/2013 - SECTION: SOCIAL AWARENESS One of the most galling things about Western culture at the moment is the sense of entitlement. Many of us have government funding for support or hold down full-time jobs. The majority of Western countries have modern human rights laws and will help anybody who is in trouble or distress, within reason. The sense of entitlement leads many of us who have perfectly healthy, enjoyable lives to feel that we are the ones on the end of a hard time from fate. However, have you ever considered the conditions in other parts of the world? You may think you are having a hard time, but when is the last time you were forced to work two or three days in a row? When was the last time you considered how lucky you are to be able to splurge on apair of expensive shoes? One thing you should be thinking about in this situation is where these expensive extras you have are actually coming from. Your clothes tend to be made, wrongly, by sweatshops owned by the huge corporations that you buy from. Those who work in sweatshops are desperately unlucky to have to do so – the rate of pay is pathetic, working conditions tend to be poor, and human rights violations are almost constant. Here are just some facts that you should understand about working in a sweatshop. It may help you create some gratitude for your own lifestyle, or realize just how hard some people...
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... Intro This paper is about Nike and the sweatshop debate For years Nike has been a target for protester that are against child labor and for good reasons. The first part of this paper will talk about the legal, ethical, and cultural challenges that Nike faces. The next will be about the many roles the host government plays in Nike business operations. The last part I will be summarizing the strategic and operational challenges the global managers of Nike are facing. In the 1970s Nike was located in Taiwan and South Korea but when the workers gained their freedom to organize their wages Nike looked elsewhere to find cheaper labor. That is when they decided to set up shop in China and Indonesia and this is where they have been since the 1980s. They are also located in Vietnam as well. Most believe the reason Nike decided to relocate to these countries is because of the cheap labor, the government in Indonesia has allowed the minimum wage to $2.46 a day but the reason this is such a problem is that the cost of living expenses is about $4.00 a day. So these people are working long hours for terrible pay and they do not even make enough to survive and the same can be said about the other countries as well just different low pay scale. There are even employees being fined in Korean subcontractors for talking during work hours. It is important to note that this is against Chinas labor laws. The situation that Nike dealt with in part is also the host...
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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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...unethical practices of conducting business in developing countries. Critics accused Nike for poor working conditions, exploitation of cheap overseas labor, and violation of minimum wage and overtime laws in countries, such as China, Vietnam, Indonesia, and Mexico, where the company had outsourced its manufactures. Instead of using ethical means to developing a global brand, Nike used child labor and every possible cheap way to increase its profits. Like many other U.S. companies, Nike manufactures its products in third world countries. Workers in these manufactures may earn as little as 12 cents per hour, working in unsafe, even dangerous working environments. These manufactures are called sweatshops, and have triggered many objections from human right organizations for violating the basic human rights. Victoria Carty (2002) explains that: The Internet has significantly accentuated awareness of the controversies surrounding Nike’s business culture and practices. Information regarding corporate abuses has spread quickly through cyberspace, bringing bad publicity to new levels of awareness, and has facilitated mobilization among activists. It has also provided the resources and environment essential for organized mobilization in the form of a new social movement (NSM). When the labor activists and scholars began observing Nike’s labor practices, they discovered systematic violations of workers’ rights in Nike factories. Their findings resulted on health and safety absences in the...
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...CASE ANALYSIS NIKE THE SWEATSHOP DEBATE Summary of the Facts Nike was established in 1972 by former University of Oregon track star Phil Knight. ... Nike has $10 billion in annual revenues and sells its products in 140 countries. ... Nike has been dogged for more than a decade by repeated accusations that its products are made in sweatshops where workers, many of them children, slave away in hazardous conditions for less than subsistence wages. ... Many reporters, TV shows, companies and organizations have repeatedly exposed negative comments towards Nike. For example, a “48 Hours” news report aired on October 17, 1996 regarding a Nike factory in Vietnam, which was visited by reporter Roberta Baskin. The reporter discovered that Nike hired millions of workers who are literate, disciplined, and desperate for jobs at wages lower than minimum wage. Another example of the criticism against Nike came from a newsletter published by Global Exchange. The newsletter uncovered that the majority of Nike shoes were made in Indonesia and China, countries with governments that prohibit independent unions and set the minimum wage at rock Nike: The Sweatshop Debate The purpose and intent of this paper is to describe the legal, cultural, and ethical challenges that face the Nike Corporation in their global business ventures. This paper will also touch on the roles of the host government and countries where Nike manufactures their products and the author will summarize the strategic and operational...
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...Labor Practices Jonathan Newberry PHL 320 12/1/2014 Wayne Moore Labor Practices According to the US Department of Labor, a “sweatshop” is a factory that violates 2 or more labor laws. Just using this definition, I’d say that using any means of production that is defined as a sweatshop is unethical. The US has a much stricter set of labor laws than many developing countries. We have higher standards for our working conditions, salaries, breaks, etc. Perspectives Manufactures that use overseas factories to make goods are just trying to maximize profit. They want to make the most money that is possible, with the least amount of effort. It isn’t ethical at all, but that is how capitalism works. “Many corporations use contract manufacturing firms to produce their goods. By separating themselves from the production of their goods, they can claim that they are not aware, and consequently not responsible for the conditions under which they were made” (Background). Pretending the problem doesn’t exist just goes to show that in most cases, making money is more important to the company than making an honest product for an honest price. Ethical perspectives here are either pay the people the right wage, or just pretend that they are being paid the right wage and ignore the fact that they are not only getting underpaid, but working in extremely poor and hostile conditions that no one would want to work in. Consumers Customer’s always want the best deal. The companies are always...
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...United States, because of the criticism about the sweatshop labor case. Facing this kind of criticism, Nike tried to cover the malicious issue from the bad press, but they cannot defeat the negative feelings from the people. Nike also faced majority challenge involving ethical issues and debates. One of the ethical issues involved “Nike did not pay the living wage of every worker and more than half of the workers who did not wear protective masks or gloves who dealt with dangerous chemicals”. The debate was over the unsafe conditions that Nike was the responsible of providing all the needs of its factory workers while them increasing their profits. Nike also criticized for hiring children who were not allowed to work and forcing them to work overtime for below minimal pay. They failed to follow the labor child laws by hiring children as young as 13 and paying them at 10 cents an hour up to 17 hours. They hired firm to monitor and to ensure accurate accounting reports. Nike faces several challenges; however, it can achieve continual success by applying effective operational and strategic plan. Despite of their several attempts by Nike launching a debate established overseas regarding whether Nike was in violation of ethical guidelines and regulations, Nike is still the focus of protests regarding the child labor laws and unsafe working environments. Nike was forced to change their strategic plans and the case of the Nike sweatshops demonstrated on how difficult it can be a business...
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...Introduction Taking Sides Clashing Views in Management written by Marc and Vera Street diverse into some deep, debatable topics. Upon reading each issue, it is clear that there is no right or wrong answer. Several times I found myself torn on both sides; this is – I was both for and against certain issues. I have always tried to make decisions as informed as possible but realized that judgments are still personal and what we believe in. Issues Issue 1: I do believe that corporations have a responsibility to society as a whole, not only to maximize their own profits and benefit the economy but also to respect the community that they reside in. They achieve this by not only providing employment, but also upholding an image. It is up to the corporation to determine whether or not the image will be a positive or negative in society; they need aim for a positive image in order to stay in business. Society has rejected some businesses because of their previous practices, from unsafe working conditions and wages to unsafe products and producers presented by management, and also unethical pollution of land and water. Corruption, misleading advertising, and managements that were solely profit driven were once tolerated, therefore rejecting the society’s needs. Due to such practices we now have laws and agencies that prohibit these actions. By evolving practices over the past one hundred years corporations have learned that the welfare of their employees and society is important....
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