The Sweatshop Edition

Call me selfish and pessimistic for saying what I'm about to say. But I'm just saying what's on my mind. First, let's make things very clear: yes, the conditions that sweatshop workers face are appalling and we can't and shouldn't deny the fact that these people receive low wages, abuse and etc. It is also commonly perceived that sweatshops are the worst things possible that exist on this planet.

What I'm saying is that, as bad as sweatshops are, the possible alternatives may be even worse. Sweatshops enslave people and the conditions are deplorable. As a result, they are very easy to attack if you don't consider the alternatives. These people choose to work in sweatshops as opposed to doing something else (I don't know like resorting to crime or prostitution???) or nothing at all - obviously the alternatives are even worse if you think about it. They live in third world countries where they lack an effective, political and economical system. Anything is possible.

From the top of my head, I think the biggest way for developing countries to thrive is manufacturing. If we could build factories in some of the poorest countries in Africa, we could help them build an economy and expand their possibilities. But this is easier said than done. Many poor countries go through what they go through because they have corruption, poor quality control and poor infrastructure. Regardless, I am for “fair-wage” clothing based on proper wages and decent working conditions. However, the banishing of sweatshop takes away many jobs from thousands of people in the poorest countries. A bunch of people are lining up for jobs as is and taking away the sweatshops may narrow their job listings even more.

Looking back at the history of the U.S., we also had sweatshops back in the 1800's. It was years before sweatshops disappeared from the U.S. and now we are what we are today. In a way, developing countries are what the U.S. used to be in the 1800s. I hate to be saying this but I think sweatshops and other low wage jobs are the highest options that a developing country has. It is necessary to have these shameful jobs before a poor, agrarian country can develop into a modern, advanced country.

In the end, I think we are all guilty because most of us may have worn clothing made a child from Cambodia or China at some point in our life. Many people are against sweatshops and they campaign against it. But I think that if we were against poverty, we should get factories set up in poorer countries. If we could set up clothing factories, these countries could export clothing and in the process build their economy, which is vital to a countries' well-being. People are against these sweatshops out of guilt and sympathy. But should we put thousands of people out of jobs so they can die and starve, and so that Americans can put their guilty conscience to rest? And so middle class citizens can uphold their "moral" principles?

Judge me all you want. I'm just saying what I think.