MooseBreath Posted 25 April 2013 Posted 25 April 2013 Is it better to buy cheap and provide a relatively dangerous job for someone who needs it, or buy expensive and leave her unemployed and facing the dangers of poverty? Is 'our' desire for cheap shit to blame for bad working conditions in very poor countries, or can we feel good about providing any kind of employment for people who would struggle to survive without it?
jonthefox Posted 25 April 2013 Posted 25 April 2013 We have to remember that in these countries , these are sought after jobs. The pay and conditions are poor by our standards but considered the norm there. Dragging matalan or whoever it was into it is pointless.
I am Rod Hull Posted 25 April 2013 Posted 25 April 2013 This happens quite a lot in the subcontinent, at least 74 people died in Mumbai a few weeks ago when an illegally built multistory apartment building collapsed. http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424127887324504704578408722755780256.html Corruption is an accepted part of the culture in that part of the world.
leicsmac Posted 25 April 2013 Posted 25 April 2013 People often forget that money isn't any good to a dead man.
Charl91 Posted 25 April 2013 Posted 25 April 2013 People often forget that money isn't any good to a dead man. However not having money can often lead you to being a dead man.
leicsmac Posted 26 April 2013 Posted 26 April 2013 However not having money can often lead you to being a dead man. In many parts of the world, that's true too. Interesting question really: how dire must your situation be to take a job that would have a risk to your life like this? And how shit is the situation that there are still people in areas of the world who are forced to make that choice?
Captain... Posted 26 April 2013 Posted 26 April 2013 It depends what the question is, is it our responsibility to pay more for ethically produced clothes from well regulated countries? In which case no, it is almost impossible to know in what conditions products were made and price is no accurate marker, take Nike for example well reputed to pay workers a pittance in dangerous conditions, yet still charge top dollar for their goods. Capitalism will also mean that we look to get the best for our money and cheaper foreign imports bring down the prices of expensive goods sourced from elsewhere. Is it the industry's responsibility to ensure that where they are sourcing it from is well regulated and safe for its workers? Again it is difficult you are asked to source this product cheaper you find a company offering to make whatever you want really cheap, maybe alarm bells should be ringing that they can make it so cheap, but if it is a company backed by their own government and complies with all of their labour laws, then you would be mad to look a gift horse in the mouth. Really it has to come down to the company that is making the goods and the country it is in to regulate it, if India wants to attracat manufacturing then it needs to be so much cheaper to compensate for the extended lead times and additional shipping and distribution costs, not to mention the hassle and disruption of moving the manufacturing. What I think needs to happen is an international standard similar to ISO9000 but obviously not as high is determined for companies in developing countries to say that they meet certain minimum requirements in terms of safety and workers rights and quality so that western companies can know if they are utilising a reputable company or slave labour.
Zingari Posted 26 April 2013 Posted 26 April 2013 People often forget that money isn't any good to a dead man. Starvation and homelessness isn't much good to a live man either .
leicsmac Posted 26 April 2013 Posted 26 April 2013 Starvation and homelessness isn't much good to a live man either . Yeah. It's a pretty shit situation all round really.
Trav Le Bleu Posted 26 April 2013 Posted 26 April 2013 As I've said before, we always give ourselves a big pat on the back for making slavery illegal, but all we've done is move them abroad. Why ship people over here when you can get them to slave at home?
ADK Posted 26 April 2013 Posted 26 April 2013 I'd rather worry about people in the UK than foreigners we have no jurisdiction over.
Guest MattP Posted 26 April 2013 Posted 26 April 2013 As I've said before, we always give ourselves a big pat on the back for making slavery illegal, but all we've done is move them abroad. Why ship people over here when you can get them to slave at home? That's ok though as we moved the trade to some less darker people.
Guest MattP Posted 26 April 2013 Posted 26 April 2013 Bet Primark have docked the suriviors a days pay.
The God Emperor Posted 27 April 2013 Posted 27 April 2013 these horrible and dangerous sweat shops are simply the seeds of industrialization. there was a time when our ancestors worked in these conditions and it is there hard work that earned us the living and working standards we have today. things will progress in these countries like they did here and their worries will move from whether the roof will collapse on their head to whats an appropriate way to interact with a female work colleague that wont bring the wrath of HR down on you.
wurmer Posted 27 April 2013 Posted 27 April 2013 The problem is, many retailers make genuine attempts to ensure that the factories they are TOLD that the supplier is manufacturing the goods at, is audited by inspectors. What actually happens, is that suppliers lie, and subcontract some or all elements of this to these shanty factories - it's almost impossible to contend with.
Parafox Posted 28 April 2013 Posted 28 April 2013 I'm just waiting for the old Imperial Typewriter factory on East Park Road to fall down.
Jon the Hat Posted 29 April 2013 Posted 29 April 2013 Work in factory or work in a field. I know which I would choose.
Zingari Posted 29 April 2013 Posted 29 April 2013 Work in factory or work in a field. I know which I would choose. Which ? they've both got bad and not so bad points , Working in a deep mine would be my worst nightmare . I'd go crazy ( even more than i am now)
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