Can Working under Sweatshop or Slave Labor Conditions Be Acceptable - Case Study Example

Can working under "sweatshop" or "slave labor" conditions be acceptable? ‘Sweatshops’ or slave labor refers to the working conditions which require massive energy input, long working hours and not very good working conditions. In most cases, ‘sweatshop’ examples are mostly associated with working in manufacturing companies or factories. In the modern world slave labour conditions are never embraced. This is under the expense of particular individuals who need sweatshops to make it in life. This case study is based not in supporting for slave labor, but improvement of working conditions in ‘sweatshops’ for them to be accepted in society. In an attempt, to have a clear understanding of this theme it is important to put into perspective various quandaries. First, considering if working in a dumpster is a solution for not working in a ‘sweatshop’ would be beneficial. Secondly, at the same time it is important to consider whether working in ‘sweatshops’ is a form of slave labor and lastly, if the improvement of ‘sweatshops’ would make them be accepted in society. Human rights organizations play a great role in giving shape in the matter of sweat shops. The organizations also ban governments from importing goods originating from factories with poor working conditions. Giving a shape to a problem is one thing and not giving a solution on it is a different thing. Talking out the government into stopping ‘sweatshops’ is possible, but stopping the people themselves from working in dangerous environments, without giving them an alternative is not possible. This is because individuals will take into slave labour as the only option. When dealing with this only two options take shape; make ‘sweatshops’ have favorable conditions for people to work in or let people face poverty due to their levels in society. As much as slave labor is inhuman, but with standards improvement of working conditions can lead to the acceptance of sweatshops. In an instance, where all ‘sweatshops’ are disguised as inhuman and shut down; and in another scenario, ‘sweatshops’ are provided with favorable working conditions, as a result, employment goes a notch higher. In the first scenario, poverty levels mostly in developing countries will by far increase. This is an interpretation of the fact that, even though, there are no poor working conditions, poor livelihoods are existent. In the second scenario, there will be good working conditions, in that the society will be alleviated out of poverty, and increased factory output from within the particular country. In this case study, I am not for the use of slave labor, but the acceptance of ‘sweatshops’ should be considered to provide a win- win situation to involved parties. With the increased dependency; on human right organizations to solve inhuman cases, it is evident that ‘sweatshops’ cannot find their place in society. In this context, therefore, the debate on abolishing ‘sweatshops’ can be regarded as a contentious issue. Improvement of the ‘sweatshops’ in such a way that, all parties involved are satisfied will be helpful. According to Nicholas (pp.1), he quoted the words of a dumpster work who wished that her son could work in a factory, due to the terrible conditions and dangers they face while working at the dumpsite. At the dumpster, apart from the scorching sun, the peril of being run over by a garbage truck also is of high probability. Offering such individuals an opportunity to work in ‘sweatshops’, is undoubtedly beneficial to their lives. In response, it can be argued that, ‘sweatshops’ are far much better than dumpsters. This in turn supports the argument of sweatshops being accepted since individuals do not mind working in them. The fact, that developed countries have more ‘sweatshops’ than the third world countries is astounding. Developed countries have the ability to make working standards in them favorable. On the other hand, in third world countries working standards are slightly assured, but at the factory’s expense. This may cost the factory’s management profits, since improved conditions do not mean an increase in price of the final product. Considering competition posed by the global factories, factories in third world countries view this move as complicated to continue its operations leading to closure and millions losing jobs. Putting this into perspective, it is clear that the acceptance of ‘sweatshops’ is not a possibility in the near future. For ‘sweatshops’ to be improved, the logical move to be undertaken by developed countries like America, is to increase the imports intake from Africa and other poor countries. The creation of independent manufacturing factories in poor countries is perceived as the solution to curb the rising poverty levels. This is made close to impossible due to the worldwide campaigns against ‘sweatshops’. The dangerous conditions in ‘sweatshops’ have negative impacts on individuals incorporated in the systems. In the context of health conditions, the most rampant cases are inclusive of asthma attacks, physical injuries as well as fatigue. Positive minded people ignore these health hazards and just work in ‘sweatshops’ as a source of income. Factories with the operations of heavy machinery report high cases of employee losing of body parts like hand and fingers. In this context therefore, it is justified to consider if the embracement of ‘sweatshops’ would improve people’s living standards. Other effects include the uninsured medical options. Medical insurance is now preferred to all since its features cater for medical care to family members. ‘Sweatshops’ may take advantage of their employees’ desperate conditions and fail to fulfill their wages to the fullest. The acceptance of ‘sweatshops’ in society may consequently lead to an increase in employer-employee cases with both parties claiming no fulfillment of agreements. Apart from employee demonstrations, human rights demonstrations portray a dreadful commercial picture in a specific country. The negative effects of slave labour are reflected in Voltaire’s work, ‘Candide and related texts’. Candide meets a one legged slave who gets only a pair of underpants twice per day. His master cut of his hand when one of his fingers stuck into a grinding machine. According to his master, the people in the firm had to survive so, he cut off his hand. After his mother took him to this place, she believed that he would be happy. Contrary to his mother beliefs, the working conditions were terrible. Voltaire (pp.82) argues that animals like dogs, and parrots are far less miserable than the individuals in such working environments. In his work, Voltaire describes a Turkish farmer who referred to work as a corrective tool. Work liberated his employees from idleness and instilled in them an urge to accumulate more. This gives shape to the formation of my argument that sweatshops should be embraced in society. Once ‘sweatshops’ are embraced, their improvements and standards raise are likely to be considered. This is for the reason that, even after the opposition on public sweatshops people still work in sweatshops, despite the dreadful conditions. It is justified to argue that, doing away with ‘sweatshops’ is as difficult as accepting them in society. It is not healthy to work in ‘sweatshops’ and it is also not healthy to work in a worse condition like a garbage collection point. Improvement of working conditions and coming up with working standards is the most suitable option. According to Nicholas (pp.1), he met a 13 year old girl who worries of her sister whom she says she lost her hand. She succumbed to the condition after being run over by a garbage truck. She then says that she would prefer working in a factory. It is evident that specific individuals do not mind working in ‘sweatshops’ due to their living conditions. With a wage, of below 1 dollar per day and the dumpster environment, the major question is whether working in a factory is a better option. As much as critics have been imposed on ‘sweatshops’, in one way or another, elevate peoples’ statuses in the society and their acceptance will be of positive effect to the society. Works cited Nicholas, Kristof. “Where Sweatshops are a dream, Column commentary.” New York times, January 14, 2009. Print. Voltaire, David. Candide and related texts. New York: Hackett Publishing, 2000. Read More