Is Overseas Labor Really "Slave" laobor for Corporations?
Howdy Gus.
Stacie’s point is a valid one and should not be ignored. The term “slave labor” is not based on a comparison of wages. It stems from the deplorable working conditions under which foreign workers are forced to toil in order to sate America’s gluttony for material goods and our corporate greed for profits far beyond our needs.
There is no justification in your post for proclaiming your perception is the “norm” nor for brushing her valid point aside as an unimportant “extreme.”
“Do you feel your response is the norm for these foreign workers,” you asked?
Of course she does because the evidence overwhelming shows her response IS the “norm.”
Let us examine the tidbit from the web site http://www.nikeresponsibility.com/repor … Tnzq.dpuf. You seem to be buying into the same pretentious, self-serving public relations gobbledygook that Nike has been hiding behind for years. One only needs to carefully read what they say to penetrate the jargon.
In the first paragraph they say, “With a total footprint of more than 2.5 million people across our value chain and 1 million people in the contract factories we source from directly, blah, blah, blah.” [Ed.: Underscore added for emphasis.] Take notice that Nike is admitting that only 40% (1 million global contract workers of the total 2.5 million in their “value chain”) actually work “in the 785 factories that we source from directly?” Clearly, their own web site admits, Nike does not oversee, assess, monitor, influence, nor improve working conditions throughout 60% of their so-called “value chain”, only in their “contract factories.” This does contradict the notion they “made overseas labor conditions a deciding factor in their use.”
Nike goes on to say, “We believe” (a subtle admission that they really do not know the real number) “another half million people work in the factories that make the materials used in our products, and more than 1 million people work in raw material production.” This means another 1.5 million people are laboring under the Nike yoke in facilities over which Nike has no direct influence.
Now, Gus, please continue reading the remainder of the public statement from Nike. Notice the frequent use of the term “contract factory” (repeated 18 times) and also notice the total absence of any references to subcontractors working for their “contract factories.” All of that grandiose verbiage applies to only 40% of their global operations. Finally, confirming this very point, Nike says they are unable to control their “contract factories” because they “usually farm out the production work to a subcontractor.” {1}
This company has a long and notorious history of tolerating sweatshops and child labor abuses. In the 90’s, their production practices and public image nearly put them out of business. A year ago, physical and verbal abuse at factories making Converse products again put the company in the headlines. Nike admitted finding “abusive treatment,” both physical and verbal, in many of their production facilities. The list of complaints ranged from workweeks that exceeded 60 hours to workers being forbidden to go to the bathroom.
Is Nike doing a good job managing its own vendors?
No, not exactly. Nike released an internal report to the Associated Press indicating almost two-thirds of the 168 factories making Converse products worldwide fail to meet Nike's own standards for contract manufacturers. (There is that term again.) Furthermore, another 97 operations are categorized as making no progress in improving problems ranging from verbal harassment to paying less than minimum wage.
Then there is Apple.
In 2010, Apple admitted child labor was used in three of its factories. The same year, 18 employees making iPhones and iPads for Apple at the Foxconn factory in China attempted suicide by jumping out of their dormitory windows, 14 died. As part of a totally insensitive reaction, Foxconn made all new employees sign an anti-suicide pledge in which they waived the rights of their families to pursue compensation or to hold the company liable if the employees kill themselves. Only after a public outcry did the company retract the document and put up safety nets below dorm windows instead. {2}
I wonder how it is possible for anyone to believe Apple wants to interfere with Foxconn’s management. “It seems very likely that without Apple's push for reformed work conditions - the 170,000 workers at the Foxconn facilities Apple uses would be a lot worse.” Ha! Apple’s efforts to improve working conditions in China range from little to less. The rash of suicides, according to The Guardian, “prompted Apple CEO Tim Cook to call on Foxconn to improve working conditions. But there is no record of him providing any money to do so, or even relaxing the draconian contractual conditions imposed on Foxconn.” {3}
I do not see anything in your post explaining “Apple's push for reformed work conditions” nor do I see any indication they made working conditions better. As best I can tell, Apple’s Tom Cook only asked the FLA to explore the working conditions at Foxconn. The report from the FLA indicated Foxconn continues to violate Chinese law and to make employees work excessive hours.
Then you ask, “Any other validations for you acceptance of "slave" as an apt descriptor for the overseas laborers used by U.S. corporations?”
You bet there are Gus, hundred of them!
The Firestone Tire and Rubber Company, Hanes, Hershey's Chocolate, Phillip Morris, and Victoria's Secret have all been exposed for their use of child labor. {4}
You can add to that list a Microsoft vendor in China KYE, Forever 21, Aeropostale, Toys ‘R’ Us, and Urban Outfitters. {5}
Finally, do not overlook the Swiss conglomerate Nestle’s use of child slave labor for harvesting chocolate. {6}
I suppose it is obvious. I totally disagree with your whitewash of corporate exploitation in the quest to pocket billions in profits from the sweat, and at times, the blood of foreign laborers who literally work like slaves. To characterize abusive labor practices as insignificant and “extreme examples;” to argue in favor of greater and more excessive corporate profits; and to ignore decades of blatant and documented unethical corporate behavior is to portray, nay is to excuse, capitalism functioning at its worst.
{1} http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article … nesia.html
{2} http://www.cbsnews.com/news/what-happen … -suicides/
{3} http://www.theguardian.com/commentisfre … aking-ipad
{4} http://www.medicaldaily.com/child-labor … bor-246760
{5} http://www.businesspundit.com/5-giant-c … ?img=42007
{6}
http://listverse.com/2013/11/09/10-famo … s-problem/
You are right that many things contribute to corporations out-sourcing their manufacturing needs - and I expected this topic to expand to include the more general response of the reasons for it - like yours, but you did not address the correctness of the "slave" designation for the overseas laborers U.S., (and other multinational corporations), use. What say you on that topic?
But... just a point or two, (just to be picky), the U.S. does not have the highest corporate tax rates in the world. Bangladesh has a 45% rate, and there are a couple three others with a 40% rate. (I told you it was picky) - but you are talking about corporate expatriation there, not just their labor uses. A different animal entirely.
Thanks for popping in. Get back to me on how you feel about the OP question.
ps. It was hard for me not to hijack my own thread and engage in a Unions conversation with you - I have similar opinions of the effects of modern day unions.
GA
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