Others say that sweatshops are but part of the natural course of economic development of any country that seeks to progress. But it is by no means a reason turn a blind eye to the lamentable conditions of women and children in these factories. Social movements working towards establishing a world that is just have gained inroads in influencing government policies to put an end to the abuse of women and children in the workplace. Initiatives such as the Clean Clothes Campaign, Ethical Trading Initiative, Fair Trade campaigns in Europe and the U.S. have gained ground to introduce alternative means of doing business to usher in a society where prosperity is shared and enjoyed not at the expense more vulnerable sectors. These initiatives are characterized by their campaigns not only to instigate changes in policy but more importantly in bringing in a new perspective and changes in attitudes of consumers. Such attitudinal and behavioral changes are important especially in light of empowering consumers to make the choice of putting their hard-earned money on products that are produced under conditions that do not alienate workers, producers or artisans. Coming up with a comprehensive proposal to put an end to exploitation of women and children in sweatshops, Green America published the fifth edition of the Guide to Ending Sweatshops. It boldly proposes to investors and consumers to use their power to halt the abusive conditions by which products sold in developed, First World countries are made (Co-op America, 2004). Among its proposals basically start with awareness raising among the consuming public about being more discerning in purchasing products and discriminating against products of companies that has sweatshops in its supply chains, engaging in campaigns for corporate accountability and responsibility, as well as consumer campaigns, educating oneself about companies, exercising all means to influence company policies through the votes it affords its stockholders, among many others. Similar initiatives are being undertaken by campaigners bythe fair-trade movement where labelling of products as fair-trade...
Being more aware about the world around us will help us become more conscious of the power we wield in changing the way business is being made. According to a consumer survey conducted by Green America, consumers are willing to pay up to 28 per cent more of a product's price if it is made under conditions that are not oppressive (Green America). Sweatshops exist because we, in the First World, continue to purchase products made under deplorable conditions. Unwittingly, our indiscriminate purchases indicate to these companies that only low prices of our purchases are what matters to us. Some scholars call this "mindless consumerism" but experience has proven that we, as consumers, can wield the power not only the purchases we make but also by registering our displeasure for exploitation and do everything within our means to put a stop to it. Our indifference to the plight of women and children in poorer countries actually indicts us as perpetrators of abuses that are unthinkable by the standards in our developed societies.
References
Canadian Labour Congress. (n.d.). About Sweatshops. Retrieved January 28, 2009, from Stop Sweatshop Abuses: http://sweatshop.clc-ctc.ca/en/about.html
Co-op America. (2004). Guide to Ending Sweatshops: Celebrating 21 Years of Building Economic Alternatives. Washington, D.C.: Co-op America.
Green America. (n.d.). Green America's Ending Sweatshops Program: What to Know/Sweatshops. Retrieved January 28, 2009, from Green America: Economic Action for a Just Planet: www.coopamerica.org/programs/sweatshops/whattoknow.cfm
Kristof, N.D. (2009, January 15). Opinion. Retrieved January 28, 2009, from International Herald Tribune: www.iht.com/articles/2009/01/15/opinion/edkristof.1-408134.php
