Sweatshops
Posted by offthetrack on May 5, 2008
Have you ever wondered who makes your clothes? Sure, everyone is familiar with brands, logos, and stores, but where do the clothes really come from and who actually makes them? For about a week, the Global Issues class investigated several popular brands and stores, and it was surprising and sad to hear about the conditions of the factories in which some of our favorite clothes were being made. Sweatshops are factories where workers are forced to work for long hours in poor working conditions with little to almost no pay. Picture this: a recent event occurred where workers at a Chinese factory, who were making Disney Channel toys, were forced to work for 28 days a month, 15 hours a day. These workers lived in filthy conditions and were exposed to dangerous toxins. For 32 cents (2.5 yuan) an hour, minus 5 yuan for bathroom breaks and 10 yuan for refusal to work overtime, the workers were making close to nothing. Americans are surrounded by all sorts of things that are made in sweatshops, such as clothes, tennis shoes, sporting goods etc; but the idea of sweatshops isn’t what usually crosses someone’s mind while they are shopping. When asked about whether she thinks about where things are made while purchasing them, Sophomore Taylor W. said: “No not really. I just buy them.” While it seems ridiculous that people in the world, the U.S. included, would have to work under these conditions, it’s something that companies do in order to make large profits. Less pay and harsh environments mean less money for maintenance and more money to put in the bank. Companies are looking for the cheapest and easiest way to make a profit. Because people do not think about these things before purchasing clothes, there is not enough support to put an end to these sweatshops.
If you were to ask the average person in the United States what they knew about sweatshops, they would probably not know what to say. “I think it’s where workers make clothes” said sophomore Victoria D., who also stated that it never really crosses her mind about who makes her clothes and what sorts of conditions they were made under. It’s hard for people to accept the real facts abut sweat shops when they have never really seen or experienced what they are like. Many people in the United States are completely oblivious as to what goes on in these factories and because of this, they can not fully grasp all of the issues. Giving up particular brands for this cause would not be easy. Many people would be surprised to find out that the majority of their clothing was probably made in some sort of sweatshop either in Asia, Africa, or the United States. This is a problem that is going on in our own country, yet it is still something that does not cross many people’s minds. When asked if she would stop buying products that were made in sweatshops, sophomore Ellie P. said “If something is a lower price, of course I’m going to buy it. I won’t really be thinking about who made the clothes when I’ve found a good deal.”
From Nike to Gap, to Victoria’s Secret and Wal-Mart, stores continue to use sweatshops in order to make money. Sweatshops have mistreated and abused people all over the world but are still being supported by many people. If you were working 18 hours a day, wouldn’t you hope to make enough money to support yourself? Next time you go out to buy clothes, find out whether or not the brands factories are suitable, and if not, you must wonder, is this shirt really worth the mistreatment of its maker?
By Amy Preston
