Ethical Issues Surrounding the Use of Child Labor Around the World Essay

Introduction

Globalization has played a key role in the expansion of business around the world. People are able to move to different jurisdictions and start their business. Some companies make this decision to get more clients while others do so because of the cheap cost of doing business in those countries. Companies such as Apple have moved to China, others to Africa while some to the rest of Asia. The ability to produce goods at a lower rate than they would have been a major factor in these movements. However, such decisions have brought forth the glaring truth about child labor (Tierney, 2006). Most people in the United States agree that child labor is a repugnant practice. Analyzing the use of child labor is essential when dealing with business ethics. Sometimes children work because it is their way of survival. It is not a solution to stop dealing with countries that are known to have child labor. Rather, companies should encourage fair wages and safe working environments in these countries. Just like the United States during the post-civil war ages, the developing countries need support to overcome the practice of using child labor.

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The difference between a temptation and an ethical dilemma

Ethical dilemma and moral temptation have a clear difference. A temptation has a clear answer as to whether something is right or it is wrong. However, an ethical dilemma does not have such a straightforward answer. In an ethical manner, an individual has the choice between right and right. The decision can be based on whether to deal with the long-term effects or the short term issues. It can also deal with a situation where a person has to choose between loyalty to a company or to his fellow colleague. A situation that I had to grapple with in my experience was whether to inform a person there was going to be a layoff in the workplace. I had some knowledge that I obtained through confidential channels about a plan to lay off several people. The colleague did not know about the layoff and I was not sure how to deal with the issue. I decided to keep my loyalty with the company and keep quiet because I had obtained the information through official channels.

An issue confronting the 21st century

Businesses in the 21st century are facing many ethical challenges (Sainz & Apellaniz, 2017). Issues such as human rights violations play a critical role in the way companies deals with their suppliers. This section is going to address child labor and recommend ways that companies can deal with the issue. Different companies have realized the importance of social corporate responsibility. One of this responsibility is ensuring they deal with suppliers who do not violate human rights. Child labor is a critical sector in the 21st century business. Information is easy to get and companies can be able to know whether children are used to producing the material needed for manufacturing (Sheppard & Carroll, 1980). The way I would deal with this problem is talking to the company suppliers and inform them about our policy regarding child labor. I would stop any purchase of goods that come from countries that use children in their operations. When these suppliers understand our position regarding the issue, they will think twice before recruiting children to work for them. I would also send a representative for random checks to see whether the companies adhere to our policy.

References

Sainz, M. A., & Apellaniz, K. X. (2017). The Main Challenges to 21st-century Business Administration: The Management of People and Knowledge. The ner Group case (4th ed.).

Sheppard, C., & Carroll, D. (1980). Working in the Twenty-First Century. New York: Wiley.

Tierney, J. J. (2006). Regulated Child Labor Is Necessary in Developing Countries. In A. Manheimer (Ed.), At Issue. Child Labor and Sweatshops. San Diego: Greenhaven Press. (Reprinted from The World of Child Labor, The World & I Online, 15, 54, 2000, August) Retrieved from http://link.galegroup.com.libraryresources.columbiasouthern.edu/apps/doc/EJ3010005208/OVIC?u=oran95108&xid=7e6822a9Viswanathan. (2008). Human Rights - Twenty First Century Challenges (3rd ed.). Delhi: Kalpaz Publications.