What is a sweatshop?
A Sweatshop is a "small manufacturing establishment in which employees work long hours under substandard conditions for low wages" (Encyclopedia). Believe it or not, many of the companies that us American consumers financially support by purchasing products from use this type of system in their corporation.
Why use a sweatshop?
The use of sweatshops allows companies to buy cheaper. By buying from a middleman, the company gets the product for a lower price, sells it for a higher price, and makes a larger profit. These companies are able to buy off of the distributer at such a low price, because of the conditions in the factories. Paying employees an unreasonably low amount allows these middleman companies to still make profit by selling to the large company at their desired low price. The products being made are still held to a very high standard, but the working conditions are not. Large companies choose not to take responsibility by turning a blind eye toward this process. By separating themselves for the production of goods, they are unaware of how they are produced and consequently not responsible.
What is it like in a sweatshop?
Sweatshop laborers typically work 60-80 hours per week and do not make living wage. In Bangladesh, a worker averages only $600 a year. These workers are harassed, intimidated, forced into working overtime hours, and even physically abused. Some sweatshops include dormitories where workers reside. These housing units often times are unbearable to live in. If they do not comply to the standards of working overtime, their job and only source of income is lost. The conditions these employees endure are also very hazardous to their health. Handling toxic chemical paints, solvents, and glues with their bare hands is extremely dangerous. Another common side effect of working in these factories is the dust and overuse of joints and muscles. This leads to illness and more long term health issues.
These jobs employ parents who are forced to work many long hours in order to send their children to school. However, school is very costly and takes a large portion of the family's income. If children are lucky enough to attend school, their parents have no choice but to spend all day, and even through the night working in a factory. This leaves small children alone at home, often in the care of an older sibling who has had a great deal of responsibility forced upon him or her. Without the care of a parent, these children roam the streets and play in the dirty, unsanitary, and unsafe villages, making them susceptible to dancer and illness at a young age. Because school is so costly and money is so hard to come by, many young children are forced into work at factories.
These jobs employ parents who are forced to work many long hours in order to send their children to school. However, school is very costly and takes a large portion of the family's income. If children are lucky enough to attend school, their parents have no choice but to spend all day, and even through the night working in a factory. This leaves small children alone at home, often in the care of an older sibling who has had a great deal of responsibility forced upon him or her. Without the care of a parent, these children roam the streets and play in the dirty, unsanitary, and unsafe villages, making them susceptible to dancer and illness at a young age. Because school is so costly and money is so hard to come by, many young children are forced into work at factories.
The problem:
Like all problems, we can easily point the finger at many people. Do we blame those in charge of the sweatshops for implementing such poor conditions and low pay? Or perhaps the large companies for demanding such low prices for the goods they purchase from these factories? Do we ever think to take the blame ourselves? We as consumers are constantly searching for the lowest prices possible, as fast as possible. The only way that large companies can possibly accommodate these needs is by using these methods of fast, cheap labor. As consumers we need to recognize our own faults. However it is not entirely on our shoulders. Companies need to also take responsibility for those tied into their business, as well as heads of factories.
This video shows the conditions of a sweatshops that provide to companies such as Walmart, Gap, H&M, Nike, and Nygard.