Reality is far more complicated that you make it out to be. One of the big problems is that some of these exploitive corporations radically alter the local economies and make them dependent on the corporation, often killing off any hope for self-sufficiency the community ever had by destroying its local industries and raping its natural resources. Not to mention the fact that some of the corporations exploit the lack of local legal protection by using thugs to intimidate workers, withholding pay, and exposing workers to dangerous conditions--and the workers can't fight back because they've come to depend on the corporation. And then, of course, when there's no longer any reason for the corporations to be there, they up and leave, sometimes leaving economic devastation in their wake.
Reality is rosy for those who bury their heads in the sand because they don't want to stop and think twice about the moral cost of their cheap consumer goods.
This could almost all (NOT ALL) be fixed with one simple law. Force corporations to adhere to Trade, Environment, and Labor Laws From the Country they get their income (sales) from. Even better, if they gain profit from many countries, force them acknowledge and utilize best practices. The whole world would benefit and slowly become equalized.
Before you all start foaming at the mouth over this go here for a list of minimum wages for 171 countries. "http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_minimum_wages_by_country" Australian minimum wage is is almost double that of the US and France is way ahead of us to along with Canada ! My mantra is if you care so much about how a company manufactures a product and you don't like it, don't buy it ! Put your money where your mouth is or shut up!
Room and board complimentary of non-prisoners' tax dollars. Nothing is free. Not one thing is actually free; except: natural resources which don't need particulate conversion for human consumption and have no verifiable chain-of-title or inherent rights claimed by other humans.
Trying not to be a dick like most of the ppl "defending" these companies but I must comment on the work hours. Most of these aren't very bad. In most asian countries any normal job is at minimum 60 hours a week. As a medical resident in the US I work 80 hours a week (and yeah it does suck). Its the incredibly poor and abusive working conditions which are the problem. The pay kinda sucks too but again, you have to realize the cost of living in these countries is much less so it's not as bad as it seems.
You know those charity commercials about a dollar a day and you can save the life of a child in africa. It's not like they have to pool together 100 ppl's dollars together to save 1 kid. A dollar does go a pretty long way.
For example. I'm from the philippines and you can eat a good dinner for $1.
Again if you're earning just a dollar a day that is still not enough to feed your family but its not insignificant. From a site trying to get rid of sweatshops they say the same. doubling the wages of these ppl would be equivalent to minimum wage in the US even though it'll still be just a couple bucks a day.
I think the biggest mistake is ppl just being angry at it and forces these companies to shut down since they think a dollar a day isn't even worth working at so the companies shut down and the people starve to death or go into prostitution (which has happened). What would be best is to force these companies to have some decent business practices. Improve conditions, reduce work hours, increase pay. Double the pay
casspaFeb 10, 2012Buried
One celeb list you'd never want to find yourself on.
justatoolFeb 10, 2012Buried
While most of them are heart-breaking I'll need to digg deeper to confirm some of the aspects.
pinkfish411Feb 11, 2012Buried
Reality is far more complicated that you make it out to be. One of the big problems is that some of these exploitive corporations radically alter the local economies and make them dependent on the corporation, often killing off any hope for self-sufficiency the community ever had by destroying its local industries and raping its natural resources. Not to mention the fact that some of the corporations exploit the lack of local legal protection by using thugs to intimidate workers, withholding pay, and exposing workers to dangerous conditions--and the workers can't fight back because they've come to depend on the corporation. And then, of course, when there's no longer any reason for the corporations to be there, they up and leave, sometimes leaving economic devastation in their wake.
Reality is rosy for those who bury their heads in the sand because they don't want to stop and think twice about the moral cost of their cheap consumer goods.
bobosmitorFeb 10, 2012Buried
No kidding.
slmz00Feb 11, 2012Buried
This could almost all (NOT ALL) be fixed with one simple law. Force corporations to adhere to Trade, Environment, and Labor Laws From the Country they get their income (sales) from. Even better, if they gain profit from many countries, force them acknowledge and utilize best practices. The whole world would benefit and slowly become equalized.
bobbi21Feb 11, 2012Buried
I find it annoying that the tax payer pays for their room and board but the company makes all the profit. A little bribery goes a long way
porkfriedriceFeb 11, 2012Buried
we're all allowed to have opinions, even popcrunch.
willmcneiceFeb 11, 2012Buried
It would be nice to have some links so we can check these things out for ourselves. Where did you get all the info?
barfomaticFeb 12, 2012Buried
Before you all start foaming at the mouth over this go here for a list of minimum wages for 171 countries. "http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_minimum_wages_by_country" Australian minimum wage is is almost double that of the US and France is way ahead of us to along with Canada ! My mantra is if you care so much about how a company manufactures a product and you don't like it, don't buy it ! Put your money where your mouth is or shut up!
kiftoxFeb 11, 2012Buried
yes, but that's why in spain we call them "young entrepreneurs"
viralmarketmomFeb 11, 2012Buried
We may not know until someone points it out. Good post!
porkfriedriceFeb 11, 2012Buried
http://www.pcmag.com/article2/0,2817,2398713,00.asp
porkfriedriceFeb 11, 2012Buried
http://www.tmz.com/2011/12/21/kardashians-family-slave-labor-clothing-line-human-rights-sweatshop/
b4noesisFeb 13, 2012Buried
Room and board complimentary of non-prisoners' tax dollars. Nothing is free. Not one thing is actually free; except: natural resources which don't need particulate conversion for human consumption and have no verifiable chain-of-title or inherent rights claimed by other humans.
b4noesisFeb 13, 2012Buried
And you know this for a fact because?
bobbi21Feb 11, 2012Buried
Trying not to be a dick like most of the ppl "defending" these companies but I must comment on the work hours. Most of these aren't very bad. In most asian countries any normal job is at minimum 60 hours a week. As a medical resident in the US I work 80 hours a week (and yeah it does suck). Its the incredibly poor and abusive working conditions which are the problem. The pay kinda sucks too but again, you have to realize the cost of living in these countries is much less so it's not as bad as it seems.
You know those charity commercials about a dollar a day and you can save the life of a child in africa. It's not like they have to pool together 100 ppl's dollars together to save 1 kid. A dollar does go a pretty long way.
For example. I'm from the philippines and you can eat a good dinner for $1.
http://www.routemarkr.com/cultures/food/philippines-filipino-street-food-meal-for-one-dollar.html
This place sells a skewer of fish balls for 2 US cents each although that does seem pretty cheap
http://www.wheninmanila.com/fish-balls-best-street-food-in-the-philippines/
Again if you're earning just a dollar a day that is still not enough to feed your family but its not insignificant. From a site trying to get rid of sweatshops they say the same. doubling the wages of these ppl would be equivalent to minimum wage in the US even though it'll still be just a couple bucks a day.
http://www.sweatfree.org/cost
I think the biggest mistake is ppl just being angry at it and forces these companies to shut down since they think a dollar a day isn't even worth working at so the companies shut down and the people starve to death or go into prostitution (which has happened). What would be best is to force these companies to have some decent business practices. Improve conditions, reduce work hours, increase pay. Double the pay
U_logic_error_broFeb 11, 2012Buried
or they keep working until they are suicidal like at foxconn
drcrankFeb 11, 2012Buried
The Tommy Hilfiger one is particularly creative.