To what extent does the globalization of sweatshops impact our societies around the world

Erin Stephens

Ms. S. Sakina

English III - World Literature

Kenwood Academy High School

10 May 2023
TO WHAT EXTENT DOES THE GLOBALIZATION OF SWEATSHOPS IMPACT OUR SOCIETIES Stephens 1

Introduction

In America, success is like the game of Monopoly you can go from rags to riches, but if

you make the wrong move you can lose it all. Anyone is willing to go a great distance to become

successful, but how far are YOU willing to go to become successful? Many say sweatshops

should not exist and some say they should for many reasons. Sweatshops do have their pros and

cons but they should not remain because they would affect the natural order of human rights, and

eventually become very harmful to society. Sweatshops should exist in order to aid any

complications in social warfare, and to keep citizens of third-world countries from severely being

put into a multitude of things because of the economic downfall, harmful living conditions, and

increasing rates of bad health care.

Background Information

Protesting against globalization has become a common occurrence in many parts of the

world. Many people believe that globalization has caused significant harm to local economies,

cultures, and societies. These protesters often argue that globalization has led to the exploitation

of workers, environmental destruction, and increased inequality.“Only this time, instead of

protesting against war or racism, they raised their voices against something called

"globalization” (Hu-Dehart 244). Globalization is the phrase used to describe the profit-driven

merger of many cultures and nationalities of people from various countries and sections of the

world. However, Globalization has brought about the rise of sweatshops in developing countries

around the world. These sweatshops are often characterized by poor working conditions, low

wages, and long hours. The workers, who are predominantly women and children, are often
TO WHAT EXTENT DOES THE GLOBALIZATION OF SWEATSHOPS IMPACT OUR SOCIETIES Stephens 2

subjected to physical and emotional abuse and have little to no bargaining power. Multinational

corporations take advantage of the lack of regulations in these countries to maximize their

profits, while exploiting the labor of these vulnerable individuals. Despite the efforts of advocacy

groups and labor unions, sweatshops continue to be a prevalent issue in the global market. “The

rapid rise in service employment at both the high- and low-skilled ends. In the United States, the

nonmanufacturing labor force came to constitute 84.3 percent of the total hours worked by 1996

or a growth of almost thirty million jobs since 1979” (Hu-Dehart 244). Several themes emerge

for poor immigrant women, mainly from minority races, who worked in sweatshops from the

1840s to the 1990s, shaping how the experience was perceived. The US. Low joblessness and a

high need for low-pay roles made undocumented immigrants vital for labor. Sweatshops aid

capitalist growth.

What is success? And who decides who is successful and who isn’t? More insight into

this substantial topic is described by Garrett D. Brown, an inventor at the University of

California, who states, “Forty percent of the world's population, almost three billion people, live

on less than two dollars a day, with 1.3 billion living on less than one dollar per day. Worldwide,

840 million people are malnourished, 1.3 billion have no access to clean water, and 11,000

children die every day of starvation” (Brown 12). Several themes emerge for poor immigrant

women, mainly from minority races, who worked in sweatshops from the 1840s to the 1990s,

shaping how the experience was perceived. Evidently, protesting against sweatshops for minority

groups is an essential aspect of social justice movements. Minority groups are often the most

vulnerable and exploited workers in sweatshops, which is why it is crucial to fight against these

unjust working conditions. “The International Labor Organization (ILO) states that at least 246

million children, five to 14 years of age, are working full or part-time every day. The
TO WHAT EXTENT DOES THE GLOBALIZATION OF SWEATSHOPS IMPACT OUR SOCIETIES Stephens 3

organization estimates that over 150 million people, some 70 million in China and 50 million in

Africa alone, are working outside their countries or away from their home regions within their

country” (Brown 12). Furthermore, this article shows 246 million children ages 5 to 14 are

working, while over 150 million people are working abroad, including 70 million in China and

50 million in Africa. To conclude, Nike has made efforts to improve working conditions in their

factories, such as increasing wages and improving safety measures. While the company still has

a long way to go in terms of addressing these issues, Nike's dominance in the industry is unlikely

to be challenged anytime soon.

Research Literature

Nike’s company slogan "Just Do It" has become one of the most iconic and recognizable

phrases in advertising history. It has been used in countless advertisements, promotional

campaigns, and even popular culture references. Evidently, a professor at Shippensburg

University by the name of Susan Rimby states, “part of a larger American ideological battle

between labor and managerial-corporate elements” (Rimby 202). The sweatshop was imagined

and portrayed in language and images in the American imagination. For example, Michael

Jordan has had a profound impact on the gym shoe industry. His signature line with Nike,

starting in 1984, revolutionized the way people viewed athletic footwear. Jordan was not only a

dominant athlete on the court, but he also had an unmatched sense of style and swagger that

inspired others to follow in his footsteps. In addition, Sweatshop industry inflation is a pressing

issue that exploits workers through cheap labor and cost-cutting methods. Inflation worsens the

situation by increasing prices and reducing workers' purchasing power. Therefore, global

regulation is necessary to ensure fair labor practices. Companies must offer fair wages and safe
TO WHAT EXTENT DOES THE GLOBALIZATION OF SWEATSHOPS IMPACT OUR SOCIETIES Stephens 4

working conditions. Governments should prioritize worker rights over corporate interests to

avoid inflation and protect vulnerable individuals from exploitation. In the article, The History of

an American Idea by Susan Rimby she states, “Despite the pronouncements of Progressive

investigators, New Deal muralists, and the Nike website, the sweatshop has never died. In the

current era of globalization, the sweatshop grows and thrives instead” (Rimby 202). As prices

rise, sweatshop workers find their wages being eroded by the cost of living increases which make

it harder for them to afford even basic necessities like food and shelter. Nike has a responsibility

to ensure that its operations do not lead to further exploitation of vulnerable workers or

contribute to worsening economic conditions in already impoverished regions. More insight is

continued to be introduced when Eveyn Hu-Dehart states, “Only this time, instead of protesting

against war or racism, they raised their voices against something called "globalization” (Hu-

Dehart 244). Globalization is the phrase used to describe the profit-driven merger of many

cultures and nationalities of people from various countries and sections of the world. Nike's

company slogan "Just Do It", is meant to inspire and motivate individuals to take action and

pursue their goals, no matter how difficult they may seem, this slogan has become synonymous

with the company's brand and mission further motivating its communities.

The media's representation of sweatshop workers has a powerful impact on our

perception of these individuals. Evidently, a novelist by the name of John Miller states, “They

are often denied the right to organize, subjected to unsafe working conditions and to verbal,

physical, and sexual abuse, forced to work overtime, coerced into pregnancy tests and even

abortions, and paid less than a living wage” (Miller 15). By acknowledging the exploitative

conditions many sweatshop laborers endure, we can use our purchasing power to advocate for

greater transparency and ethical labor practices within the industry. Rather than turning a blind

eye to these injustices, also the media perpetuate negative stereotypes and contribute to a sense
TO WHAT EXTENT DOES THE GLOBALIZATION OF SWEATSHOPS IMPACT OUR SOCIETIES Stephens 5

of helplessness among sweatshop workers. By portraying them as victims without agency or

power to change their circumstances. In addition, recognizing exploitation in third-world

countries and sweatshops is crucial as the workers endure inhumane conditions such as long

hours, low pay, and no benefits or job security. This issue requires legislation, accountability,

and consumer awareness to address the suffering of laborers who are often unrecognized and

uncompensated contributors to our daily lives. Sweatshops are notorious for their poor working

conditions and low pay. The five faces of oppression impact the workers in these sweatshops in

various ways. The first face is exploitation, where the workers are paid less than they deserve for

their labor. The second face is powerlessness, where they have no say in the working conditions

and are unable to change their situation. The third face is cultural imperialism, where cultural

values and beliefs are not respected in the workplace. The fourth face is violence, where the

workers are subjected to physical, emotional, and psychological abuse. The final face is

marginalization, where the workers are excluded from the benefits and opportunities that other

workers enjoy. These impacts of oppression make the lives of sweatshop workers difficult, and it

is important to address these issues to ensure that workers are treated fairly. “Low wages reflect

not low productivity, but low bargaining power. A recent analysis in Business Week found that

although Mexican apparel workers are 70 percent as productive as U.S. workers, they earn only

11 percent as much as their U.S. counterparts; Indonesian workers, who are 50 percent as

productive, earn less than 2 percent as much” (APPELBAUM & DREIER 71). Sweatshops

around the world have led to global competition to lower prices. Mexican apparel workers are as

productive as 70% of U.S. workers, but their wages reflect low bargaining power rather than low

productivity. The conditions in which sweatshop workers are forced to work are often inhumane,

with long hours, low pay, and no benefits or job security. It is a prevalent issue that must be met
TO WHAT EXTENT DOES THE GLOBALIZATION OF SWEATSHOPS IMPACT OUR SOCIETIES Stephens 6

head-on through legislation, accountability measures, and increased awareness among

consumers. An author by the name of Matt Richtel states, “The site does not specify particular

grievances against Nike, except to include it on a list of World Economic Forum participants,

along with companies like Exxon Mobil, Honeywell, McDonald's, Phillip-Morris and

Amazon.com” (Richtel 202). Nike was listed among other Major global profiting companies

such as Exxon Mobil, McDonald's, and Amazon as participants at the World Economic Forum in

Melbourne, Australia. This demonstrates, Nike was accused of unethical labor practices in its

factories, with reports of sweatshop working conditions and low wages for workers in countries

such as Indonesia and Vietnam. As a result, the company faced widespread protests and criticism

from human rights groups. Despite this, Nike continued to deny any wrongdoing and defended

its manufacturing practices. However, the company made a major commitment to improve

working conditions in its factories, implementing a range of labor reforms and increasing

transparency in its supply chain. Since then, Nike has made significant progress in addressing the

issue of sweatshops and has been recognized as a global leader in responsible manufacturing

practices. Nonetheless, the company's past reputation for labor abuses continues to be a source of

controversy and criticism.

However, despite the clear evidence industry policies are finally starting to significantly

impact the notorious sweatshop practices that have plagued the garment industry for decades.

Governments and organizations around the world are beginning to enact stronger regulations and

policies aimed at preventing companies from exploiting workers in developing countries.

Companies that once relied on cheap labor to maximize profits are now being forced to re-

evaluate their supply chains and invest in fair labor practices if they want to remain competitive

in the market. For example, fair labor practices are not just a moral obligation, but also an
TO WHAT EXTENT DOES THE GLOBALIZATION OF SWEATSHOPS IMPACT OUR SOCIETIES Stephens 7

economic necessity as consumers prioritize ethical production and companies must adapt to

remain competitive. Policy changes are a step towards ending fashion slavery. An illustration of

how industry policies are affecting societies from the article published by Knight/Tribune, the

“U.S. students put the spotlight on foreign sweatshops is a great article with a large viewing and

could greatly impact the views on sweatshops. Evidently, a Chicago based newspaper company

by the name of Chicago Tribune states, “Some of these manufacturing facilities use child labor to

make products for international commerce _ a situation that is legal under the World Trade

Organization rules. You cannot buy anything made by child labor in this country, because such

labor is illegal in the United States; but ironically our government cannot ban such imports

without violating the WTO trade agreement and subjecting the United States to monetary fines or

other trade penalties” (Tribune 1). This shows that you cannot buy anything made by child labor

in this country because such labor is illegal in the United States, but ironically our government

cannot ban such imports without violating the W.T.O trade agreement and subjecting the United

States to monetary fines or other trade penalties. The W.T.O. is The World Trade Organization

agreement and it creates an international trade legal framework for 164 economies around the

world. These Agreements cover goods, services, intellectual property, standards, investment, and

other issues that impact the flow of trade. According to Chan-Tiberghien she states, “Through a

range of geographical and topical case studies--including migration, sex tourism in the

Dominican Republic, sweatshops and international labor standards, information technology,

World Bank reforms, and humanitarian intervention--this book concludes that the impact of

globalization on human rights in four areas--citizenship, commodification, communication, and

cooperation--depends on the type of globalization” (Chan-Tiberghien 347). Globalization

involves transnational flows of people, production, investment, information, ideas, and authority.
TO WHAT EXTENT DOES THE GLOBALIZATION OF SWEATSHOPS IMPACT OUR SOCIETIES Stephens 8

Human rights are claims to human dignity, assumed to be provided or threatened by the state. A

study discovered that despite being targeted as a low-cost labor force by international

organizations, Dominican women resist exploitation by organizing themselves around global

human rights frames, creating a different reality for themselves.

Sweatshops could be beneficial if we were to change the policies and economy so that

everyone can still have low rates while still receiving good quality. Globalization has positive

effects on human rights, because the increased flow of information and resources across borders

has allowed for greater awareness and advocacy for human rights issues worldwide. However,

globalization has also led to a concentration of power in the hands of transnational corporations,

many of which prioritize profit over human rights. This has led to the exploitation of workers in

developing countries, environmental degradation, and disregard for labor standards. In addition,

globalization has intensified economic inequality within and between nations, leading to a

disproportionate distribution of resources and opportunities that further marginalizes vulnerable

groups. It is crucial that adequate measures are put in place to ensure that globalization promotes

rather than undermines human rights protections.

Counterargument

Despite the clear evidence that sweatshops should be banned, sweatshops have some

positive impacts on both the workers and their community. By providing job opportunities in

third-world countries, they offer a chance for individuals to improve their financial stability and

contribute to social mobility. Additionally, sweatshop labor can often lead to increased levels of

education as employers may provide on-the-job training. These employment opportunities can

also have lasting effects beyond the individual worker - increased salaries can lead to an overall
TO WHAT EXTENT DOES THE GLOBALIZATION OF SWEATSHOPS IMPACT OUR SOCIETIES Stephens 9

improvement in economic conditions in the surrounding community. While there are valid

concerns about working conditions and wages within these factories, it is important to recognize

that completely removing sweatshops would leave many in developing nations without viable

employment options. It is crucial we continue working towards improving labor standards while

acknowledging the potential benefits that currently exist within these organizations. This

rationalization is confirmed by the Article Globalization and its discontents, written by Evelyn

Du-hart, which states, “The rapid rise in service employment at both the high- and low-skilled

ends. In the United States, the nonmanufacturing labor force came to constitute 84.3 percent of

the total hours worked by 1996 or a growth of almost thirty million jobs since 1979” (Du-hart

20). While promoting or justifying the exploitation of human beings in sweatshops, as it is a

gross violation of human rights. It is important to acknowledge that sweatshops do provide

employment opportunities for people who might otherwise have no job at all. Moreover, if we

ban sweatshop labor altogether, the result may well be that companies simply move their

operations to countries where there are even fewer protections for workers than those provided

by sweatshops. Rather than banning sweatshops outright, we must focus on ensuring decent

working conditions and fair wages for its employees - so in essence, reforming them instead of

eradicating them may be a better approach.

Conclusion

Sweatshops should exist in order to aid any impediments to human rights, although

sweathshops do have their flaws they should remain to aid any complications in social warfare.

Sweatshops should exist in order to prevent any economic downfalls and to keep citizens of

other nations or third world countries from severely being put into a recession in many
TO WHAT EXTENT DOES THE GLOBALIZATION OF SWEATSHOPS IMPACT OUR SOCIETIES Stephens
10

communities, countries, and environments. Globalization and the rise of sweatshops have

profoundly affected our society in a number of ways. While it can be argued that sweatshops

provide much-needed employment opportunities to poor countries, a well known fact remains

that they exploit workers who are paid extremely low wages and subjected to harsh working

conditions. This has led to a widening gap between the rich and poor, with multinational

corporations reaping massive profits at the expense of vulnerable workers. Additionally,

increased globalization has led to a homogenization of cultures and societies as large

corporations dominate markets worldwide, leading to a loss of traditional customs and practices.

However, it is important to recognize that globalization is not entirely negative as it has also

brought about positive changes such as access to new technologies and greater economic growth

in many parts of the world. All in all, sweatshops have attracted a lot of controversy because of

their flaws but on the other hand, factories have provided manufacturing services at a lower cost.

As much as sweatshop labor is underpaid and sometimes constitutes exploitation, it has helped

larger corporations to save money on manufacturing costs, thereby keeping mass-produced

goods accessible and affordable for everyday shoppers which is crucial, particularly for people

with low incomes or those living below the poverty line around the world.

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TO WHAT EXTENT DOES THE GLOBALIZATION OF SWEATSHOPS IMPACT OUR SOCIETIES Stephens
11

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