Are garment workers’ deaths on our hand? No
An article written by means of Dough Saunders; it was first published in 2013 by Globe and Mail Newspaper. In essence, the paper focuses on the miseries that the Bangladesh garment employees undergo in North America and Europion Union in efforts to meet customer needs. The author seeks to complex the precondition that the efforts in the cost of clothing and salary of people are a strategy that will enable goal of poverty discount to be achieved. This essay will provide a critical response to the article with the aim of helping the claims of the author, which states that the trading activities are meant to promote economic empowerment.
Summary
Saunders outline the problem of exploitation of labor workers by their owners in Bangladesh garment factory. It is evident that the labor providers in this company receive low wages despite the fact that they work long hours. Additionally, the primary concern of the factory owners is profitability, especially from the western market; as a result, the safety of employees is undervalued by ignoring safety warning in the organization. This is demonstrated through two examples of the collapse in Dhaka and 1911 Triangle Shirtwaist Factory Fire. The author noted that North America and Europe are the main clients of this factory since they are cheap (Sunders, 2013). This leaves the question whether the West is to be blamed for the poverty and misery in emerging countries. However, Saunders believes that involvement with the West is a means of empowerment and that they should be blamed for the death and suffering of people in Bangladesh.
Analysis
Essentially, the tone of the writer depicts an ethical concern argument regarding existing business relationship between the developing and developed countries. The main question is whether Western countries such as Europe and North America affect the welfare of developing countries such as Bangladesh by going for cheap markets. It is evident that workers in this factory are suffering, an aspect that is evidenced by the use of tragic incidences at work. The fire outbreak and collapse of eight stores building show the height of suffering for employees when at work. However, according to the author, the clothing bargains by the West do not contribute to the misery, death, and poverty. Instead, the owners of the factory are to blame since they have ignored safety warning, which led to the tragedies (Sunders, 2013). The author argues that the accidents in Bangladesh garment factory can be used to bring change in terms of safe working environment and wage increment. It is, however, evident that Saunders does not consider the economic disparities between the West and most developing countries.
Response
In my opinion, I send the author’s claim that developed countries are not responsible for the cases of poverty and misery experienced in Bangladesh. Evidently, many nations that were previously listed as underdeveloped have progressed to become among the developing countries. Therefore, it is evident that providing employment opportunities, particularly for the garment industries serve to empower workers. Additionally, the global market provides a ready platform for such factories to sell their products effectively. However, I do not agree with Saunders argument that the tragic incidences that occurred in Bangladesh garment factory will trigger reforms in the employment sector. The article provides information that can that can be useful to government bodies, policy makers and organizations for both the consumer and producer nations. However, countries like Bangladesh should concentrate more on educating their workers on their rights since such occurrences are severe in developing countries as compared to developed nations.
Conclusion
The articles by Saunders provides insights into the challenges faced by workers in Bangladesh garment factories. The author investigates and elaborates the source of the problems; additionally, he offers solutions that will help address the issues outlined in the journal. In addition to working in dangerous environments, the garment employees provide labor for long hours but receive low wages. It is of the essence to recognize that they operate under such conditions to offer cheap markets to developed countries such as North America and Europe. Saunders seeks to understand who is to be held accountable for the poverty and miseries in Bangladesh; the West or factory owners. The author concludes that the developed countries are offering an opportunity for economic growth to developing nations. I second this opinion since it is evident that developed countries play a significant role in strengthening the economy of developing nations.
References
Sunders, D. (2013, April 27). Are garment workers’ deaths on our hands? No. The Globe and
Mail; Toronto, Ont. P. 2.
