Nicholas D. Kristof, Pulitzer prize winning human-rights columnist, claimed in his New York Times article, “Let Them Sweat,” that Americans should support foreign owned sweatshops in undeveloped countries if they want to help the poor of the world. He argues that sweatshops provide the poor of third world countries a less dangerous job which offers high pay often necessary for survival. Many other economists generally agree with Kristof, claiming that workers voluntarily accept sweatshop jobs despite the long hours and implied dangerous conditions is the greatest indication that their existence is beneficial to the people of third world countries. As Kristof claims in his Nike example, activism and legislation against sweatshops that aim to
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In his 2002 article, Kristof advocates greater support of sweatshop goods as a means to benefit the worker. He gives two accounts of third world youths who were grateful of their sweatshop jobs’ relatively safety and stable income compared to other professions available. Over a decade later, Sam Bowman of the Adam Smith Institute compiled statistics from the International Labor Organization that support Kristof’s claims. In over half of the countries studied, sweatshop jobs in the apparel industry offers several times the average national income even though these wages often amount to less than two American dollars per day. In Nicaragua, a 70 hour per week sweatshop job offers roughly 750% of the average national income to workers. In eight of the ten analyzed countries, a 50 hour per week job offers more than 150% the average national income. Furthermore, sweatshops jobs are safer compared to other jobs available to the poor of third world countries. In his article, Kristof quotes 14-year old Ahmed Zia, who stated that his sweatshop job was much better than farm work. Ahmed personal opinion is well justified. Bowman’s review of data from the International Labor Organization concluded that subsistence farming results in roughly 250 million accidents and over half of the total workplace deaths every year. Even if the conditions in …show more content…
Kristof states that after Nike closed two factories in Cambodia after public outcry, almost 2000 Cambodian women lost their jobs. To emphasize the negative impact of the outcry, he suggests that many might be forced to find jobs in the sex slave industry. While Kristof may be using hyperboles to convince his readers, his argument is supported by economist Dr. Benjamin Powell in his book Out of Poverty. Powell argues that workers voluntarily accept sweatshop positions simply because they are often the best jobs available and that activism based around boycotts and trade sanctions can jeopardize these jobs, forcing workers to return to unfavorable conditions. Kristof mentions in his article that Nike closed several of its sweatshop factories due to their impact on its public image. This ongoing departure from employing third world workers continues with Nike and competitor New Balance recent shift away from sweatshop labor to US jobs due to US tariffs and the current negative public perception of sweatshop labor. Business Insider editor Ashley Lutz reported on the fact that Nike has tried to rebuild its public image by paying fewer sweatshop workers more while gradually relying more on automation. Even though the boycotts stopped, the negative perception of sweatshop labor continues to lead to less jobs for third world workers.
In his 2002 article, Kristof advocates greater support of sweatshop goods as a means to benefit the worker. He gives two accounts of third world youths who were grateful of their sweatshop jobs’ relatively safety and stable income compared to other professions available. Over a decade later, Sam Bowman of the Adam Smith Institute compiled statistics from the International Labor Organization that support Kristof’s claims. In over half of the countries studied, sweatshop jobs in the apparel industry offers several times the average national income even though these wages often amount to less than two American dollars per day. In Nicaragua, a 70 hour per week sweatshop job offers roughly 750% of the average national income to workers. In eight of the ten analyzed countries, a 50 hour per week job offers more than 150% the average national income. Furthermore, sweatshops jobs are safer compared to other jobs available to the poor of third world countries. In his article, Kristof quotes 14-year old Ahmed Zia, who stated that his sweatshop job was much better than farm work. Ahmed personal opinion is well justified. Bowman’s review of data from the International Labor Organization concluded that subsistence farming results in roughly 250 million accidents and over half of the total workplace deaths every year. Even if the conditions in …show more content…
Kristof states that after Nike closed two factories in Cambodia after public outcry, almost 2000 Cambodian women lost their jobs. To emphasize the negative impact of the outcry, he suggests that many might be forced to find jobs in the sex slave industry. While Kristof may be using hyperboles to convince his readers, his argument is supported by economist Dr. Benjamin Powell in his book Out of Poverty. Powell argues that workers voluntarily accept sweatshop positions simply because they are often the best jobs available and that activism based around boycotts and trade sanctions can jeopardize these jobs, forcing workers to return to unfavorable conditions. Kristof mentions in his article that Nike closed several of its sweatshop factories due to their impact on its public image. This ongoing departure from employing third world workers continues with Nike and competitor New Balance recent shift away from sweatshop labor to US jobs due to US tariffs and the current negative public perception of sweatshop labor. Business Insider editor Ashley Lutz reported on the fact that Nike has tried to rebuild its public image by paying fewer sweatshop workers more while gradually relying more on automation. Even though the boycotts stopped, the negative perception of sweatshop labor continues to lead to less jobs for third world workers.