We have a moral obligation NOT to contribute to the suffering, abuse, and mistreatment of others. One’s desire to have a “materialistic” object takes the backseat to the harm bought to the peoples who produced it. If by purchasing a product manufactured in sweatshops you ensure that these people will continue to be mistreated, underpaid and abused, then that is a selfish purchase. Instead seek out the Fair Trade products of workers in less advantaged countries, where the profit goes to the workers, not to the corporations who abuse workers and seek out “cheap” labor.
Following your logic-
If the sweatshops close, the sampe product could likely be made in the same place with slightly higher wages, but without the whole “sweatshop” thing/
It doesn’t have to be fair bu US standards, but it should be enough to earn a good living in China or Pakistan or wherever. The stuff can be produced cheaply without resorting to employee abuses, Wal-mart has supposedly been cracking down on some bad working conditions with success and they can still get stuff real cheap.
More likely, the operation will be moved to a nation that is poorer still, and where there is currently no agitation about sweatshops. The retail price will be raised somewhat to cover this move, and agitation about sweatshops will be blamed for the price hike, but no human benefit will be achieved.
How much higher? The workers and the employers have agreed on a wage- why is it our place to say no?
The conditions and pay are fair enough for employees to accept the job.
Fair enough, good luck with your query
First of all, China isn’t a poor nation.
You have the items. Use them. The issue of slavery and the poor treatment of workers is immensely complex. The solution begins with education. Learn all you can about enslaved people (including here in the U.S.) and then you will be positioned to make a difference. It’s good that you are thinking of these things. (See my signature.)
Yes, you can use the ones that you have, BUT now that you are enlightened you will be more thoughtful about your*** future **purchases and will not make purchases that promote abuse to workers, etc. Think of it as casting a vote. For every purchase that you make you cast a vote. If you buy bacon laced with carcinogenic nitrites the bacon makers will keep making the stuff. If you buy cigarettes, the cigarettes manufacturers will keep making the cancer sticks. If you buy products produced in sweatshops or that utilize child labor, these practices will continue because you are voting for them by continuing to buy them. The consumer actually has a lot of power to change the world if he/she would make conscientious and healthy purchases. If you buy crp they will keep making it. If you insist on “cheap” goods utilizing underpaid and abused workers then the marketplace will not change. The acception to the rule would be to buy “second hand” merchandise. Second hand, or items from “re-sale” shops do not promote the continuation of manufacture abuses, mistreatment of workers, etc.
Very good advice!!! The more you know the better decisions you make. I make it a point to contact companies about their products. Consumers have more POWER than we realize. We do not have to accept unhealthy food or merchandise, or be a part of the mistreatment of workers in poor countries. By making conscientious decisions about the products that we purchase we can change the marketplace, the health, safety, and quality of the products offered, and be a voice for the mistreated or underpaid worker.I bought a pillow once when I was camping and my neck was hurting. It was very cheap. I saw on the tag it was made in India.
I debated whether it was ok to use it, or whether I should bring it back.
I consulted some other people, if I remember right they said if I already have it, use it… What I did then was look up the company on the internet, and I sent them an e-mail telling them about my concerns (child labor? etc).
I thought at least that way I raise awareness, so that the people there know people are concerned about this.
I think it was the boss of the company who wrote me back? I am not sure. Anyway he was very interested where I had bought the pillow, and when I wrote him the name of the store and that it was a chain store he seemed very pleased.
Anyway maybe that’s an idea for you, try to find out something about the company, write them your concerns, always good to spread awareness about this kind of thing…
Whether or not it is something that you bought out of materialistic desires is probably another issue…
Kathrin
Yep. Next one will probably be from either a South Korean or a German company. (After I make sure Korea is generally good to workers)