Made in Hell

[CurtSibling]

This thread is tough one, cause most people reading
it will be wearing or using at least something from
a US company-sponsored sweatshop...

Ho-hum, way of the world, etc.

 

[Knowltok]

I wasn't aware that the problem was limited to US companies. Can anyone cofirm or deny this?

 

[Whiskey Priest]

IMHO the main obsticle in improving the living conditions in these countries is somehow getting their governments to respect their peoples right to organize independant trade unions. Once this happens the workers will have more power in negotiating contracts with management. And seeing how it took the west almost a hundred years to grnat these rights to it's own citizens I am somewhat pessimistic that the governments developing nations will be doing it too soon.

 

[Umask077]

Heres my thought...

If brand X shoes are 110 dollars with little pumps that make them bounce when you walk and are made in america or canada or england or ...... Thats great.


However, I will still buy the 10 dollar pair of tennis shoes at target which were probably made in a sweat shop somewhere.

I dont think about it. What I see is a 100 dollar price difference. Arguably the 110 pair of shoes will last 2 to 2.5 times as long but I usually buy 3 identical pairs of the 10 dollar shoes so I dont have to shop as often and so I can rotate. (if you dont rotate your shoes they grow bacteria, and Im not rotate shoes if its gonna cost another 110 bucks).

Its economics. I buy what is priced right.

 

[Knowltok]

Take the devil's advocate position:

Slavery may well be able to produce an $8 pair of shoes. Will that still be economics?

BTW I respect your policy of not paying $110 for a pair of shoes. I may not buy the $10 pair, but I'm damn sure not buying shoes anywhere near $100 in cost, even if they are made in my neighborhood.

 

[CurtSibling]

Originally posted by Knowltok
I wasn't aware that the problem was limited to US companies. Can anyone cofirm or deny this?

I wouldn't say the US companies are only to blame,
there are many international offenders...

But American companies are the most infamous for it,
(McDonalds, Nike and various oil giants.)

 

[Whiskey Priest]

Adidas is a German company and they have a bad labour record.

Dutch Shell has taken heat for its pratices is the Niger River delta, inlcuding the murder of a activist.

 

[Knowltok]

Originally posted by CurtSibling


I wouldn't say the US companies are only to blame,
there are many international offenders...

But American companies are the most infamous for it,
(McDonalds, Nike and various oil giants.)

I'll grant most infamous, but I don't automatically accept that this means worst offenders (Not saying you said this). It could be the case, but I'm not willing to accept it as fact.

 

[scorch]

Originally posted by rmsharpe


Yes.

What if it changed to american boys? What if it was your son that was in the same conditions? Would you just accept it like that?