Are sweatshops a solution for developing countries?



Are sweatshops a solution for developing countries?

Introduction

A sweatshop, (also operating workshop or workshop pressing) is a pejorative term used to designate a factory - very often in industrial textiles - to which employees are exploited for working too long or forcibly, in which rampant abuse physical or moral, or where there is child labor. Companies like Nike, Disney, Wal-Mart, Reebok, Phillips-Van Heusen, the Gap, Liz Claiborne and Ralph Lauren are some of the companies that have set up their operations overseas. These companies depend on manufacturer, whereas manufacturer hires contractors, and contractors often hire sub-contractors. It was observed that very often sub-contractors have to work in very dangerous conditions, but brand name companies do little to stop this and simply ignore the rights of people working in sweatshops. As a result, workers are often forced to work in an unsafe environment with low wages and no benefits. For example, in Tehuacan, Mexico, workers are paid so little that they are forced to send their children to work in garments factories. The sweatshops are although unhealthy practice for the workers but are also beneficial for the economy. This is because it gives employment to lot of unemployed people which increases the GDP of the economy thus improving the economy on an overall scale (Miriam, 2003).

Discussion

The basic concept of sweat shops is that the companies and corporations make their employees hectic and stressed from the immense workload. This does not only de-motivates the employee from doing the assigned work but also it result in less efficiency which later on adds on to low quality of work being done by the employees. The management of employees is becoming a global issue around the world. When an employee is not satisfied with the work load given to him or her, he will eventually resign from the organization or will be performing the work making the compromise on the quality of the work. But, most of the organizations are getting profit centered and are not keeping their employees satisfied. Employee satisfaction is a major issue which needs to be addressed in order to get a long term permanent sales or work burden. To win market share, brands and retailers are competing aggressively on price, resulting in enormous pressure on their suppliers. Chain end, it is the workers who are paying the price. In the workshops of subcontractors, working conditions are appalling. These are workers, mostly young women, working over 12 hours a day, six days a week, excluding unpaid overtime. The conditions of hygiene and safety are deplorable and accidents are frequent. When they exist, employment contracts are often unjust and rarely respect the law. The workers do not very often no social protection. Paid by piece, with no guarantee of living wages and sometimes below the legal minimum, workers are hired or fired without formality, depending on production needs. Harassment, disciplinary practices and various fines are legion. And while there can be no progress on social justice ...