Essay Sample on Sweatshops: Exploiting Workers or Fueling Asian Economy?

Paper Type:  Essay
Pages:  5
Wordcount:  1156 Words
Date:  2023-03-13
Categories: 

Introduction

The work being criticized is sweatshop jobs. Sweatshops have been perceived as jobs that exploit their workers rather than help them. Over the years, the Asian economy has risen by 55 to 60 percent thanks to the sweatshop industries (Bailey). The workers who work in these factories work under poor conditions. But these have been seen not to be the real problem experienced in these Asian countries. The chemicals released by these factories in water and the toxic air have the most significant negative impact on the workers. Research has shown that almost three million people die from air and water pollution in Asia. This, however, should be the primary issue addressed in this case. Many of these workers consider these jobs as an escape from poverty; hence, the reason why they should be appreciated. Research studies done by economists by looking at economic data on workers' rights and workers' wages in these developing countries support this argument. Also, the literature review have shown the trends of economic rise and improved conditions of Asian countries. These statistics have been performed and recorded over the years.

Trust banner

Is your time best spent reading someone else’s essay? Get a 100% original essay FROM A CERTIFIED WRITER!

In as much as many people attack sweatshops, seeing them as stations that exploit their workers, the fact that these same factories help people improve their living conditions should be enough reason to support this argument. Factory managers should, however, find a way to improve these working conditions and manage the chemical wastes emitted to give their workers safer conditions. The other way to curb this situation is to promote manufacturing in these countries. As compared to collecting plastics at 5 cents a pound under the scorching sun and exposure to danger and deadly diseases, many people living in these countries prefer working for long periods for less (Kristof). Research shows that families that have a member working in sweatshops have improved living standards. Although it's tough, it's worth it. Globalization has made transformations, especially with the Western countries importing products made in these factories. These sweatshops have made countries like China's economy to become the hottest in the world. Global campaigns rising against sweatshops make it hard for the poorest countries to develop by not encouraging manufacturing industries. Americans, for example, don't believe that sweatshops help people. They firmly believe that not supporting these industries will curb the exploitation of workers.

Some western countries view these sweatshops as brutality to workers while some American countries and Nike produces products like toys and shoes in these factories with unfavorable conditions. These companies pay their workers more compared to the average minimum wage paid in locally owned companies in their country. This has been proved by researchers who point out that foreign direct investment has had a positive impact on these specific countries benefiting from the sweatshops' business. Many jobs have been created over the years through the rise of sweatshops supported by multinational investors leading to improved living standards and brought about economic realignment. Encouraging sweatshops by American countries have helped improve working conditions at factories. On the other hand, they have also been seen to raise labor costs across the board. This has led to a reduction in the number of employees by less well-established companies hence risking jobs for many people.

Over the years, Westerners have protested against sweatshops, and it has also been a discussion during meetings at forums and organizations on how to curb the sweatshop situation in the belief that they do more harm than good. I believe that these people should look at the bigger picture. The workers themselves see these jobs as a significant escalation from poverty. They shouldn't be denied the chance to a better lifestyle just because some people feel pity. These workers include young children whom some may think are being exploited, but in the real sense, they are being helped. Countries like India who resisted foreign exploitation have poverty rising year in year out compared to countries like South Korea who accepted sweatshops. The alternative source of income for the poor people in the Asian countries includes collecting plastics and selling them for peanuts, which is far worse than the sweatshops. The most crucial issue, in this case, is to find ways to curb exploitation in these sweatshops and help workers get better wages and working conditions.

This can be achieved by buying more from them and creating awareness for the same. This should make the rest of the world change their views on the sweatshops, and start seeing them as a game-changer for the developing countries. American is already on the global manufacturing map giving them the ability to support the developing countries to rise in the same fields. American companies should also be transparent about where they manufacture their products in other countries so that they can build trust with their customers. They should not, however, give up on their manufacturing. The world needs maximum development alignment, and this means that even the developed countries should put more effort.

Conclusion

In conclusion, I arguably support sweatshops because of their good outweighs the bad. From research and testimonies from most people, these factories help more people more than they harm, and we should reconsider our judgments on the sweatshops. A large percentage of these workers prefer working in sweatshops, and we should not be quick to deny them their jobs without looking at the advantages they offer them. If we can help them, it should be by improving their working environs. This will, without a doubt, bring a positive change favorable to both investors, workers, and the factory owners. Ongoing research proves that sweatshops should not be wiped off the global manufacturing industries. Many people who get to interact with the sweatshop workers have found out that they love their jobs and are grateful that they got the chance to work in these very sweatshops. They view it as an opportunity to create a better life for themselves, families, and communities (Reporter).

They have also grown fond of their work and have also developed a passion for the same. The least that can be done to help these people is to meet them halfway. This can be accomplished simply by looking out for them, ensuring they are working in clean environments, reducing their working hours, or creating working shifts and increasing their wages. There is always a phase of the struggle, but as a Chinese proverb goes, "First comes the bitterness, then there is sweetness and wealth and honor for 10,000 years" (Kristof, and WuDunn).

Works Cited

Kristof, Nicholas. "Opinion | Where Sweatshops Are A Dream". Nytimes.Com, 2019, https://www.nytimes.com/2009/01/15/opinion/15kristof.html.

Bailey, Ronald. "Sweatshops Forever". Reason.Com, 2019, https://reason.com/2004/02/01/sweatshops-forever-2/.

Reporter, Daily Mail. "Undercover Reporter Works At Sweatshop Boss Who Is Nine-Year-Old Girl". Mail Online, 2019, https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2456412/My-life-sweatshop-worker-Undercover-reporter-tells-crushing-work-terrible-pay-girl-boss-aged-just-NINE.html.

Kristoff, Nicholas, and Sheryl WuDunn. "Two Cheers For Sweatshops". Archive.Nytimes.Com, 2019, https://archive.nytimes.com/www.nytimes.com/library/magazine/home/20000924mag-sweatshops.html.

Cite this page

Essay Sample on Sweatshops: Exploiting Workers or Fueling Asian Economy?. (2023, Mar 13). Retrieved from https://proessays.net/essays/essay-sample-on-sweatshops-exploiting-workers-or-fueling-asian-economy

logo_disclaimer
Free essays can be submitted by anyone,

so we do not vouch for their quality

Want a quality guarantee?
Order from one of our vetted writers instead

If you are the original author of this essay and no longer wish to have it published on the ProEssays website, please click below to request its removal:

didn't find image

Liked this essay sample but need an original one?

Hire a professional with VAST experience and 25% off!

24/7 online support

NO plagiarism