Sweatshops

Worker's rights

Sweatshops were meant to help the globalization economy. The truth is that the US Department of Labor does not monitor the sweatshop work conditions in foreign countries. Foreign governments in their desire to boost national economic gain, set minimum wage way under what is needed to meet basic needs. Greed is the reason for top American companies to take on the opportunity to establish sweatshops and get away with their abuses, in cases when violations of human rights are discovered, corporations are only held to insignificant fines. Sweatshops are also found in the American territory, their employees mostly women or undocumented immigrants, who are not aware of their legal rights. Women are mistreated and work under poor environmental and safety conditions. Including low wages, long hours of overtime not even compensated and certainly sexual harassment.

In countries like Saigon a worker earns about $0.10 to $0.20 per hour that fails to cover basic costs of living. Sweatshops usually delays their employees pay, and in some cases employees may not get paid. Work places are infested with rats and other type of bugs, lack proper space to allow workers to perform their job, and some are actually surrounded by barber wire fences that block their way out or the visitation of outsiders. Workers may not be given breaks or permitted to go to the restrooms during work hours.

Another group that is subject to human rights abuses are agricultural workers, they are usually overworked and because of their humble nature, they are intimidated and fear to speak up and request wage increases or benefits. Some are exposed to toxic pesticides and paid in cash to avoid taxes.

In 2000, 20/20 investigated a Sweatsho in Saigon, and found that pregnant employees were forced t abortions in order t keep their jobs. Many undocumented or documented immigrants work