Sweatshops And Child Labour Essay

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).

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

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.

Almost everyone knows sweatshops are not acceptable places to work or support. Sweatshops, per definition from the International Labor Organization are organizations that violate more than two labor laws (Venkidaslam). There are several arguments against sweatshops. First, is that these organizations exploit their workers. They provide them low wages and some pay below the minimum wage of the home nation. Moreover, these workers are forced to work more than 60 hours per week and are mandated to work overtime. In addition, workers are subjected to unsafe environments and sexual abuse. Finally, sweatshops are known for their child labor, where children below the legal working age are paid extremely small wages. Anyone who is against sweatshops will say, choosing to partner with these organizations are unethical.

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

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 .

Second, sweatshops help people to earn income so that they can support their family and has the ability to fulfill their own personal needs. Even though the income is not highly paid but some people are willing to take this job because in their opinion earning something is better than nothing .For example, based on the case titled

Poverty is the main reason for child labour. Poor households need the money, which their children can earn. Children contribute to 20 – 25 % of family income. It is obvious that the survival of certain families depends on the children’s earnings.

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

Workers are manufacturing products in foreign countries that are shipped to the United States to make a more substantial profit. Sweatshops often have poor working conditions; people are suffering from health issues from hours of hard labor. While one

Sweatshop proponents argue that even though sweatshops may not provide the best working conditions for workers, it at least provides a job for those who are in desperate need of one. In a way, a sweatshop may even benefit the workers. The money the workers earn from working in the sweatshop factory may be the deciding factor in whether they have food

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.

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

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.

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