Ethics of U.S. labor standards in foreign operations

Ethics and Foreign Workers

Ethics can be different for each person making a decision, but there are certain moral laws that should be followed in dealing with foreign workers working for U.S. companies overseas. The moral and ethical decision should be to treat these workers just the same as if they were working inside the United States. They are employees of a U.S. company, and the rules should not be different for different employees in different countries. A lawyer who specializes in these types of decisions writes, "The moral rights approach concerns itself with moral principles, regardless of the consequences. Under this view, some actions are simply considered to be right or wrong" (Poznak). Thus, even if paying foreign workers lower wages and benefits than U.S. workers get results in higher profits, it is morally wrong to differentiate between workers, and the ethical choice is to treat all employees the same.

Another consideration in this ethical debate is the practice of foreign companies doing business in the United States, and their standards for employment. For example, many foreign automakers have built plants in the United States to build cars such as Toyotas and Hondas. These automakers must adhere to the regulations and hiring practices of the U.S., and pay the prevailing wage to attract qualified workers (Freeman). If foreign automakers must adhere to the nation's regulations regarding employment, it seems fair that U.S. companies doing business in other countries should adhere to their hiring practices, as well, but only if they are close to the prevailing wages and regulations in the U.S. United States companies hold themselves in high regard around the world, and because of this, they should make the ethical decision and treat their foreign workers just as they treat any other workers in the U.S. We set high standards for our employees and our products, and to retain good will and our good reputation, it is the right and ethical choice to make.