Change Sweat Shops

In each of the articles read regarding sweat shops, majority of them seemed to be against the idea of a sweatshop due to the conditions associated with this form of labor. Satyarthi, for example, compares the sweat shop industry to “the modern form of slavery” (Satyarthi, 1) due to the workers’ inability to choose their form of employment. Often times many children are seemingly forced into the industry because their family has “too many mouths to feed” and “too few bringing in money” (Aulakh, 5). Such economic issues are seemingly common among the individuals of the poor countries where sweat shops reside. As the sweatshops offer money, poor individuals are often faced with the decision to work in a sweatshop or be unable to provide food for one’s family, let alone one’s self. The final decision is almost always in favor of working in the sweat shop, and could possibly be attributed to the importance placed on familial obligation in these eastern countries (Li).

                If we are able to recognize that the sweat shop industry has negative living/working conditions for their workers, and that these workers are seemingly forced to work there due to lack of jobs in their country, why is it then that despite efforts made, “the number of child workers has tripled” (Satyarthi, 2)? As Bhagwati suggests, “the most powerful policy instrument for removing poverty is growth” (Bhagwati, 6) and although I do not agree with the type of growth Bhagwati is suggesting, I do agree with the statement itself. I feel that poverty can in fact be lessened or removed by growth; growth in the education system in these poorer countries, for example, can widen the range of job opportunities for individuals thus creating a larger job market, meaning fewer individuals in sweat shops. Growth in consumer pressure would also be a perfect instrument for removing poverty and Satyarthi even goes as far to say that “the only success we have seen…” concerning ending sweat shops “…has been through consumer pressure” (Satyarthi, 2). Many companies have already put pressure on their suppliers by insinuating that they will no longer buy goods from them if they are made by child laborers or workers in sweat shops. By doing so, these companies force the suppliers to either change their ways or lose business, something many of the companies in these third-world countries cannot afford.