Sweatshops and Our Clothing

            
  Many people would rethink how they feel about their favorite shirt if they were aware of how it was made.  98% of clothing sold in the United States is imported.  Factories in less-developed countries often have few safety standards for their workers, making it very dangerous for their employees, many of whom are small children.  Yet clothing companies continue to purchase products from these sources, giving sweatshops a means to continue. Though the conditions are terrible, many would argue that there are positives to having these factories.

                Sweatshops are placed in underdeveloped countries, as these are where big clothing manufacturers can find employees to perform hard labor for very little pay.  They are prominent in Bangladesh, particularly, as well as Cambodia and China. Workers typically are on duty for about 12 hours a day. In Bangladesh, they end up making about $40 per week.  Factories are usually several stories high and often have no emergency equipment (such as fire extinguishers) in case an emergency would occur. They are hot and uncomfortable for workers. In Bangladesh, there are even stories about the owners of factories locking the doors while workers are on their shifts. In 2012, hundreds of workers in a Bangladeshi clothing factory were killed when a fire started and all of the doors were locked, making it impossible for anybody to escape.

 

                 Though this may seem like an impossibly difficult job to us, there seem to be positives for workers in these nations. $40 per week sounds like next to nothing, but it is far more than a farmer typically makes in Bangladesh. Having a job may keep children from resorting to illegal and immoral practices. Unfortunately, when a family is in need, its younger members end up turning to the drug and prostitution businesses. One study found that after a U. S. representative pressured a factory in Bangladesh to fire 50,000 child workers, many of those children became prostitutes. Many also argue that placing these factories in third world countries will eventually lead to more development and technological advancement in these nations.

             

                 Many companies now use the label “Made in America” as a selling point. This is largely based on two principals. The first is that clothing factories in America will lead to more jobs for American workers, and stimulate the economy. The second is that sweatshops are- well- bad. There are so many factors that go into the production of clothing that is difficult to determine which is true.

                Ultimately, it is up to the consumer to decide who to buy from.  Sweatshops are obviously not pleasant places to workers, but it is important to weigh the positives against the negatives.

*Sorry about the pictures. Something bad happened...

Video:

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2013/10/12/i-got-hired-at-a-bangladesh-sweatshop-meet-my-9-year-old-boss_n_4088909.html

Sources/ Further Reading...

http://dailybruin.com/2011/02/22/_sweatshops_should_be_seen_as_helpful_for_providing_jobs_/

http://economistsview.typepad.com/economistsview/2006/06/sweatshops.html

http://www.nytimes.com/2013/12/23/world/asia/bangladeshi-factory-owners-charged-in-fatal-fire.html?_r=0

https://www.dosomething.org/facts/11-facts-about-sweatshops

http://www.ecouterre.com/garment-factory-fire-in-pakistan-kills-300-trapped-behind-locked-doors/