Sweatshops And Child Labour Essay

Sweatshops are not replacing high paid jobs but rather provide work over farming, unemployment or the more dangerous alternatives of prostitution or crime, which the unemployed may be forced into. Sweatshops in developing countries are key to the growth of the local economy by creating more work for individuals. The increased workforce keeps a local economy alive by increasing local’s purchasing power, allowing other local businesses to flourish. Rural areas are in danger of depopulation as workers leave for higher paid factory jobs, and urban sprawl can lead to unsuitable living condition i.e. slums. The product produced in sweatshops boosts exports in host countries to where the consumer demand is. Exports bring money into a country, which increase the exporting nation’s Gross Domestic product (GDP). Arnold (2005) states; “Exploitation of a national resource-inexpensive labour- allows developing countries to expand export activities and to improve their economics.”

Sweltering heat, long hours, and unfair working conditions are a few descriptive words that Americans use to describe a sweatshop. I believe our judgment is being misguided by the success of our nation, and it is imperative we redefine the word “sweatshop”. Individuals that endure life in third world countries know hardships that Americans could not imagine. If we were to recognize these economical differences it may shine a light on why these workers seek sweatshop jobs. In many of these cases, children must work to aid in the family’s survival. If these jobs are voluntary and both parties agree to work conditions, it results in a mutually beneficial arrangement. One of the worst things we can do as outsiders, to help these impoverished

Also, since age was not problematic in the hiring process, children would oftentimes be found at sweatshops of all types (Wheeler, Bruce, Becker 121). Many times the pure reason children worked in sweatshops was that one, or both of their parents were dependent on the child, this even happened if the parents were relatively young (Wheeler, Bruce, Becker 121).

Cambridge dictionary defines sweatshop as a small factory where workers are paid very little and work many hours under bad conditions. People working there are deprived of any kind of worker’s benefit. Child labor is very common in sweatshops. Workers in sweatshops are often missing key pieces of safety equipment such as face masks to ensure safe breathing or work in environments with insufficient means of emergency exit since employers may lock the doors and windows to prevent theft during working hours (Hartman ). The workers are abused, beaten, kicked, and shoved, even if they are sick or pregnant. Sweatshop is nothing but a modern form of slavery, because the workers are forced to work in harsh condition for a little wage, and they are denied any fundamental human rights .

Sweatshops help the distribution of wealth in the world. They make sure that rich first world countries don't simply become richer. Without sweatshops, the population in third world countries would just become poorer and poorer. Several studies have shown that the poverty level of many developing nations has decreased significantly after implementation of mass scale privatization.

Sweatshops greatly impact the lives of people all across the world; people are forced into incredibly tough labor along with unbearable working conditions. According to the writer of English Blog, “22 million children die annually due to the hazardous conditions in the sweatshops.” (English Blog RSS) Besides the low pay and awfully long working hours, the

There are many views with the problem of utilizing sweatshops in developing economies. Many insist that utilizing sweatshops in developing economies composes exploitation. In certain circumstances, this may be true, but not all. It is an ongoing controversy of demolishing sweatshops and changing the laws of labor. Many anti-sweatshop activist supports the idea of demolishing sweatshops. Activist commonly focus on work conditions and low wages causing them to be ill – formed of the economy as a whole. Taking a deeper look into these developing countries, it is with out of doubt that these countries benefit from sweatshops. Sweatshops should not be demolished because the employees are benefited with income, their economy receives growth and

Child Labor is considered work that is hazardous to the child’s health, the individual themselves and if it keeps the child away from school to learn. In many cultures around the world that have poor economic statue will eventually have the children’s not be able to attend school, instead they will have to go out and find work in the

Nicholas D Kristof begins his essay by exploring the ideas that factory jobs in poor countries are actually a means of reduce poverty. As noted in his article, “sweatshops are only a symptom of poverty, not a cause” (paragraph 8, pge 110). Although sweatshop may be harsh, present a better alternative for workers for in poor countries than what is already available to them. The problem he identifies in his article is the fact that many families would rather work at a sweatshop than stay in a dangerous garbage dumps, searching for something to recycle for a change (Kristof). He assumes that his readers know little about sweatshops; furthermore, how difficult and awful the living conditions are. He goes on to say that some of those workers have

Most people believe that if they’re employed it provides them with a way of living life. When talking about sweatshops as a job the story completely changes. People don't have the knowledge of what goes on daily in a sweatshop. Think of the workers who get fined and punished for mistakes they made. Also those who complain about the conditions are beaten and abused. Cases of physical, sexual, and verbal abuse are common to be reported. Sweatshop workers should not be allowed to continue to work under the current conditions of earning low wages , interference with children's education also including the improper training given.

At the level of the individual worker, sweatshops can be regarded as a blessing of sort, for they might be the only way for illiterate people lacking marketable skills to enter the global industrial marketplace. In many less developed countries with large populations, agriculture is the only economic activity available to people. Sweatshops provide poor people in developing countries with better outcomes than the alternative of criminal activity (child and adult prostitution). Employable for only part of the year, outside of the planting and harvesting seasons, there is little for them to do and they stream into cities looking for work. Sweatshops exist because of a prevailing mindset that maintains a clear distinction between business and ethics.

Children are less biologically mature and less physically strong, which makes them easier to get injured. Due to the danger and chemicals they face in sweatshops, children could develop many diseases as they grow up. The developmental risk factors for children who work in factories are, rapid skeletal growth, greater risk of hearing and vision loss, higher chemical absorption rates, lower heat tolerance. They also have no access to clean water, hand washing, and toilets, and they are exposed to pesticides and sharp tools. Children who work long hours on a regular basis could harm their social and education development. And the reason why injuries happen among the young workers then adults is the lack of experience. According to Clark, “ Children are more likely to trip or get caught in machinery, and their bodies have more trouble breaking down chemical toxins and excreting them “ ( 1996). Child labor has increased in Asia, Africa and Latin America. Around the world there are an estimation of 200 million child laborers ages 6-15. In pursuit of few dollars, children are being sacrificed, some of them are only five or six years old spending their days working in factories, mines, sweatshops, markets, and building sites or sorting through refuse heaps. Parents feel obligated to invest in their older children’s education expecting them they will help finance their younger brothers and sisters education who are already working. In most part of the world, child labor is illegal in most part of the world, and yet it is increasing in many countries believing children are profitable and are very easy to exploit Since,“ they can be paid less, are easily abused without provoking retaliation and are not organized like adults might be” ( Venter, Lancaster 2000). If people around the world get together to demand the rights of those poor

Negative effects of child labor can be solved through provided and accessible education to continue a child’s growth

Sweatshops also helps in developing the infrastructure of the country. Besides raising the life standard of the workers, it also helps in raising the economy of the country. One of the good things is that companies need to pay taxes to the government which directly help to boost the economy of the country. Furthermore, a successful investment in poor countries will send message to other potential investors that there is a stable environment for investment, leading in more investment, job opportunities and prosperity in the country. This have standardized the global economy. Many technologies are introduced by the sweatshops in the country. Besides it also helps in developing the infrastructure. As these factories need proper transportation, communication, digital technologies, etc., it helps in developing it.

Edmonds. Eric V. and Nina Pavcnik. (2005). Child Labor in the Global Economy. American Economic Association. Book.