Are we as a
culture agreeing that in order to have “cute” clothes or cheap appliances that
we are willing to live with slave labor? Can we at least all agree that there
are some minimum standards that we as a culture should live by? Do we really need to continue to find the
worst of the worst stories of brutality to bring attention to this continual
problem in our society?
I am
generally an optimistic person and I believe that workers around the world will
fight with all of their strength for their rights at work. I hope that I can
continue to believe that consumers and activists in the global north will join
them.
What can we
do to break through the apathy?
Here’s some samples of stories that
have been in the media lately:
Child Labor
supplying British Store Primark
Toyota Accused of Using Temps and Trafficking
Workers to Build the Prius
Jennifer Love Hewitt Loves Sweatshops
North Carolina is one of the Worst States for
Unions
Comments
re: Another Sweatshop Scandal. Yawn...
It's unfortunate, but it seems like the worst of the worst stories are the only ones that have any effect on the "masses." However I also like to think that persistence is key. The effect of "horror stories" is only temporary, but as long as you keep are constantly reminding people of the need for change, eventually it sinks in. I hope.