Sweatshops

Sweatshops

As companies grow larger and more competitive, they are looking for cheaper ways to produce their wares and increase their profit. That is, after all, how companies are able to succeed, by giving their customers a comparable product for a cheaper price. This increases sales and the overall bottom line. Which seems to be a beneficial plan for both the companies and the consumers. That is, as long as the consumers don't know how the product is being produced. The places that produce these products for an extremely cheap cost are called "Sweatshops". A sweatshop is a small manufacturing establishment in which employees work long hours under substandard conditions for low wages. Sweatshops came about when employers sought to reduce overhead cost and to increase the volume of production. These forms of operation were extremely popular from the 1850's through the 1930's. Luckily, for Americans, through federal and state legislation, especially minimum wage and child labor laws, sweatshops have been diminished. Although companies are facing tough labor laws against sweatshops in America, some have decided to continue their inhuman practices in other countries. The unjust treatment of people in the workplace not only needs to be fought on American soil, but it also has to be fought abroad until the workers are at least paid a living wage.

Companies who have set up production factories in other countries may argue that they are providing much needed work in areas of the world where jobs would not otherwise be available. The wages and conditions of the work environment are good in relation to other opportunities the citizens of these countries have. Not only do these people now have a job that feeds their families, they are learning skills that may benefit them in the future. The companies may also argue that they are not violating any laws that the country has enacted. Without the use of cheap labor in foreign markets not only would the company and it's stockholders lose profits, but the products being produced would be more expensive when entering the United States' market. This in turn would