Imported Products and the Exploitation of Workers
Most of the products consumed on a daily basis in America are imported. The imported products are produced by factory and farm workers from various parts of the world. The workers are involved in several activities such as harvesting cotton that is used to make clothes, sewing buttons and zippers, growing cocoa for our beverages among many other duties. In spite of the hard work and dedication of these workers, they however work in deplorable conditions (Fair Labor Association, 2018). Due to the poor working conditions, discussions have erupted in the USA about the rights workers working in industries and farms outside the United States and whether America being an importer of their products can intervene in championing for these workers’ rights.
Exploitation in Factories and Farms
While manufacturing US imports, workers working in factories and farms are often exploited by their employers in various ways. One of the forms of exploitation of these workers is through working in deplorable, deadly and life-threatening environments. For instance, studies show that textile industries in Bangladesh lack safety features. Most textile factories in Bangladesh are characterized by locked gates, structural faults and a lack of fire exits which exposes their workers to electrical, structural and fire hazards (Rushe, 2018). Workers also encounter other forms of exploitation such as child labor and decline in wages for unskilled workers (Mishra and Tapolova, 2007). Due to such exploitations, workers deserve a better working environment and therefore their employers should strive to provide a conducive working environment while properly remunerating their workers. If the working conditions and remunerations are not improved, workers can therefore be encouraged to find alternative jobs.
Campaigning for Workers' Rights
America being a major importer of many products such as footwear, apparel, footwear, toys, and sporting equipment from developing countries should be in the forefront of campaigning for the rights of workers of workers who toil in factories and farms that produce these products. One of the best ways of championing for the rights of these workers is by boycotting purchasing products from sweatshops or countries where workers are exploited (Vickery, 2001). Americans should therefore borrow a leaf from campus students who were dedicated to changing sweatshop conditions and stop the brutalization and assault of humanity in factories by leading anti-sweatshop campaigns. Studies show that the students led a successful campaign and pressured the administration and demanded that clothes bearing their college logo should not be made under sweatshop conditions (Miller, 2003). According to Miller, boycotting products from sweatshops will significantly contribute towards the improvement of lives and living conditions of poor workers all over the world.
Setting Global Work Standards
In order to promote equality among workers globally, standards should be set for work rules in other countries. By setting standard work policies, the violation of local labor laws and exploitation of workers will be reduced considerably since companies will be afraid of violating international labor standards due to the fear of international condemnation and boycott of their products (Miller, 2003). Studies therefore recommend that international standards that set wage floors for workers globally and safeguard their interests and rights be set. It is therefore recommended that the work rules be set by international bodies such as the International Labor Organization (ILO) and be enforced by local governments. Companies should also be tasked to establish and enforce codes of conduct and continuously carry out inspections to identify violations of their code of conducts (Vickery, 2001).
Conclusion
In conclusion, America is a consumer of imported goods produced by factories and farms that exploit their workers. The USA is therefore morally responsible to lead in campaigns for the rights and fair treatment of workers all over the world. One of the best ways of championing for workers’ rights is by boycotting purchasing products from factories that exploit workers. Standard work rules should also be set and enforced by local governments so as to protect workers from exploitation.
References
Fair Labor Association. (2018). Protecting Workers' Rights Worldwide | Fair Labor Association. Retrieved from http://www.fairlabor.org/our-work
Miller, J. (2003). Why Economists Are Wrong About Sweatshops and the Antisweatshop Movement. Challenge, 46(1), 93-122. Retrieved from https://www.researchgate.net/publication/5170476_Why_Economists_Are_Wrong_About_Sweatshops_and_the_Antisweatshop_Movement
Rushe, D. (2018, January 22). Unions reach $2.3m settlement on Bangladesh textile factory safety. The Gurdian [NewYork]. Retrieved from https://www.theguardian.com/business/2018/jan/22/bandgladesh-textile-factory-safety-unions-settlement
Mishra, P.." Tapalova, P. (2007). How Does Globalization Affect Developing Countries?Retrieved from International Monetary Fund website: http://www.imf.org/external/pubs/ft/irb/2007/eng/03/index.pdf
Vickery, T. (2001). Who's watching the shop floor. The Christian Science Monitor.
