This may sound harsh, but it has been shown in many countries that this is the best practice for the employment and the economy.
While conditions in some sweatshops are unimaginable, in many countries sweatshop workers actually have better working conditions than many other workers have, and make more money as well. For example, a worker manufacturing shoes for Nike in a Chinese plant actually makes more money than a professor teaching at Beijing University (Maitland, DATE, p. 585). In fact, workers in many sweatshops make much more money than other workers in their areas, so they consider themselves well paid, even if their wages seem miniscule to westerners.
In conclusion, international sweatshops need standards and guidelines, and their workers should receive fair, decent wages for their work. As former Labor Secretary Robert Reich notes, "Low-wage workers should become better off, not worse off, as trade and investment boost national income'" (Maitland, DATE, p. 583). Thus, wages and safety standards must be established based on area and market wage standards. No company should pay wages that create worse living conditions and increased poverty,...
International workers have flooded the market, and it is not surprising that so many industries have taken advantage of their low wages to create more profits for their stockholders. However, no company should rely on these employees at the expense of the employees themselves. Companies must behave ethically and responsibly toward their employees - wherever they are located. They should analyze the countries where they do business, and pay a market wage to their employees that strengthens their lifestyle and the local economy. In addition, they must ensure the safety of their workforce, and create acceptable working conditions. That is the only was international sweatshops even remotely make sense.
References
Arnold, D.G. And Bowie, N.E. Sweatshops and respect for persons. Ethical issues in international business. 591-604.
Maintland, J. The great non-debate over international sweatshops. Ethical issues in international business. 579-589.
Rivoli, P. (2001). Labor standards in the global economy: Issues for investors. The ethics of globalization. 535-545.
