11 Facts About Sweatshops, Essay Example

Introduction

Sweatshop labor is a highly controversial issue that poses a serious threat to the integrity of many organizations and their labor practices. Although consumers seek competitive pricing in the products that they purchase, it is important to note that they often face a critical risk of engaging in practices that are ethically irresponsible and inappropriate in the context of manufacturing. Therefore, it is of critical importance to address the potentially serious risks that are associated with sweatshop labor and what is required to operate a manufacturing business without ethical complications. There must be a greater emphasis on understanding the needs of consumers and although cost efficiency is highly desirable, it represents a challenge to an organization’s ethical principles and stance regarding its labor practices. It is believed that in many cases, sweatshop labor is a product of a consumer demand for products that are of lower cost, in spite of the risks associated with this practice and its impact on the company’s operations and ethical principles.

Body

Sweatshop labor is notorious in that many stories have emerged in recent years regarding the horrendous working conditions that many laborers experience in foreign nations, with limited accountability for achieving safe working conditions, if any (International Labor Rights Forum, 2015). It is necessary to evaluate the conditions under which laborers are forced to work, as the sweatshop environment poses many safety-related hazards and is less than desirable with respect to its primary working conditions (International Labor Rights Forum, 2015). In some nations, many laborers have died as a result of poor working conditions in which they risk their safety on a daily basis; therefore, these practices are considered to be less than ideal and pose serious threats to the safety and integrity of individuals who work in these settings (International Labor Rights Forum, 2015).

The existence of sweatshops poses a threat to the integrity and strength of manufacturing organizations, as their ethical practices and decision-making are called into question for the desire to earn significant revenues within their respective industries. Sweatshops are in violation of at least two labor laws, as defined by the United States Department of Labor; therefore, these practices include the employment of children between the ages of five and fourteen (Do Something, 2015). Under these conditions, it is important for organizations to be mindful of the ethical consequences of their decisions in regards to labor practices and to demonstrate the importance of protecting their workers from unsafe conditions and to employ individuals who are qualified to work within a given industry.

Working conditions, however, are not the only cause for concern within sweatshops, as wages are typically very low, hours worked are too long, and benefits are limited or are nonexistent (Do Something, 2015). This reflects a need to further examine the challenges of sweatshops and why companies participate in these endeavors, even if they recognize that these behaviors are ethically inappropriate on all levels. There must be a greater emphasis on understanding the nature of why sweatshops exist and to determine what is required to meet expectations in the provision of fair and equitable labor practices throughout the world. No matter the circumstances, sweatshops create significant challenges for consumers and pose serious threats to the ethical integrity of many organizations when they participate in these practices in any capacity.

It is important for organizations to recognize their ethical responsibilities and to refrain from funding sweatshops because they pose a threat to the overall safety and security of hundreds of thousands of workers throughout the world. It appears that consumer demand is a significant driver of these conditions, as the desire for lower prices is a critical factor in shaping labor decisions. It is believed that corporate globalization is a driving force in the continued operation of sweatshops throughout the world, particularly as organizations recognize the benefits of expanding their profit margins through these activities, even if they are deemed unethical and unacceptable (Global Exchange, 2015). This reflects the importance of shaping an environment in which there are significant opportunities to manufacture high quality clothing at competitive prices without the need to conduct activities in this manner (Global Exchange, 2015). Organizations must explore other options in order to achieve the desired results, as there must be a greater emphasis on quality rather than quantity, in addition to treating all employees with respect and providing them with safe conditions in which to work. Therefore, the discussion regarding sweatshops must be reframed so that organizations are able to recognize the inappropriate nature of these practices and alternatively support manufacturing environments where employees are of the proper age, who are paid well, and who are able to work in safe conditions on a regular basis.

Conclusion

Ethical decision-making within the context of manufacturing requires an understanding of the difficulties associated with the operation of sweatshops and how to reverse these practices in favor of supporting environments where safety conditions are appropriate and employees are paid fairly and are treated with respect on a consistent basis. Although consumer demand appears to drive the operation of sweatshops, other alternatives must be explored in order to protect workers and enable organizations to operate with ethically responsible practices in place to improve their reputation and standing within the global marketplace.

References

Do Something (2015). 11 facts about sweatshops. Retrieved from https://www.dosomething.org/facts/11-facts-about-sweatshops

Global Exchange (2015). Sweatfree FAQs. Retrieved from http://www.laborrights.org/industries/apparel

International Labor Rights Forum (2015). Sweatfree communities. Retrieved from http://www.laborrights.org/industries/apparel