Sweatshops are defined as a shop or factory in which employees work for long hours at low wages and under unhealthy conditions (Merriam Webster). 1.3 million children aged 5-17 in Bangladesh are engaged in hazardous labour. Children and adults alike are given no choice but to work in unethical factories creating clothing for large international corporations. Developing countries such as India, Bangladesh and China are found with countless amounts of sweatshops. Sweatshops are unjust and unethical because of the unsafe and uncomfortable work conditions, long hours with low wages and the use of child labour. Workers are forced to work in close knit groups and unbearably hot buildings doing repetitive tasks that cause potential damage to their bodies. People from developed countries such and the US and Canada have protection against unsafe condition and the use of child labour, but not everyone can be so lucky. Large corporations across america have taken advantage of the cheap labour in sweatshops and have outsourced most or all of its production to countries such as Bangladesh. In 2013 approximately 4 million people worked in the garment and textile industry of Bangladesh. They are the second largest apparel exporter of western brands after China. Women that are sewing Nba jerseys are paid 24 cents per garment while the item will eventually be sold for $140 minimum. Each day children, mothers and fathers are making that $7 T-shirt you got on a great deal and their well being is paying for it. These large western companies make billions every year and can afford to pay production workers enough to live a sustainable life. People work long days and comeout with very little; not nearly enough money to support a family with food and a shelter let alone any luxuries that we take for granted in developed countries. Capitalism is the political idea that says a country's trade and industry are controlled by private owners for profit, rather than by the state. Sweatshops are not necessarily an idea of capitalism but instead a consequence. Without government regulations private owners are able to pay little and have employees work in dangerous conditions. In an article written by Raveena Aulakh she talks about her experience of working in a sweatshop, her boss a nine year old child sits on a concrete floor trimming threads for 12 hour days. Can you imagine being a nine year old girl working long hours to help support your family and not having the privileges that we all take for granted. Healthy meals, being with family and schooling is something these children would be more than thankful to have and something they deserve access to especially when they are making goods for companies that have billions. It is more than feasible to have workers paid enough to live a healthy and happy life while still making profit. Garment makers in bangladesh make approximately $68 per month, a month's rent is more than double that wage which makes it nearly impossible to have only two family
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Buildings are built without structural quality such as the now famously known Rana Plaza which collapsed in 2013. 1,129 people died in the ruble and all of those deaths could have been prevented if only the buildings structural issues would have been addressed. The building was not built to be safe, but instead was built quickly to allow for more work to be done in the garment industry. After this tragedy many life safety items were intended to be implemented, but it has shown that the majority of buildings are behind. Basic safety items such as automatic sprinklers, fire extinguishers and removal of any gates that locked still haven't been put into practice even after 4 years after the tragedy of the Rana Plaza. The garment factory Matrix Sweaters has experienced many fires that injured nearly 20 employees during each blaze. At the time of a 2016 fire only 35% of the safety implements were put into place. Employees work long hours in extreme heat often without fans or fresh air. There isn't comfortable seating or enough space for the amount of workers and supplies. It is inhumane to have employees work in such dangerous and uncomfortable
Buildings are built without structural quality such as the now famously known Rana Plaza which collapsed in 2013. 1,129 people died in the ruble and all of those deaths could have been prevented if only the buildings structural issues would have been addressed. The building was not built to be safe, but instead was built quickly to allow for more work to be done in the garment industry. After this tragedy many life safety items were intended to be implemented, but it has shown that the majority of buildings are behind. Basic safety items such as automatic sprinklers, fire extinguishers and removal of any gates that locked still haven't been put into practice even after 4 years after the tragedy of the Rana Plaza. The garment factory Matrix Sweaters has experienced many fires that injured nearly 20 employees during each blaze. At the time of a 2016 fire only 35% of the safety implements were put into place. Employees work long hours in extreme heat often without fans or fresh air. There isn't comfortable seating or enough space for the amount of workers and supplies. It is inhumane to have employees work in such dangerous and uncomfortable