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From: Edward R Weick
To: [EMAIL PROTECTED]; [EMAIL PROTECTED]
Subject: Re: Sweatshops
Date: Sunday, April 16, 2000 5:57PM
Arthur:
> Maybe I missed it, but have we adequately explored the creation of strong
> trade unions in these countries, trade unions that are part of a movement
> aimed at upward harmonization of living standards??
>
Ed,
snip..
We mustn't forget that unions are a distinctly western phenomenon, the
product of a long history of social change and experimentation. They are
possible where there is a fundamental belief in the equality of man and a
willingness to bargain and negotiate. They are far less likely to be
possible where the fundamental assumption is inequality and force or corrupt
backroom deals can be used as means of suppression.
Arthur,
Trade unions had a rather rough and bloody beginning in the west. Weren't
welcomed with open arms, especially by the elites.
Ed,
Simply assuming that third world countries can adopt our systems and
standards or even that they would want to adopt them will not get us very
far.
Arthur,
This doesn't stop us from assuming that they will embrace 'free markets',
capital markets, 'the rule of law' and our version of democracy. And when
they don't, won't or can't we get quite edgy. Somehow we become strangely
silent when it comes to child labour, trade unions , workplace standards,
etc. Not to mention environmental standards.
Ed,
When I was in India, I saw ever so many poor children begging on the
street. Some of them had been maimed, deliberately I was told, to give them
an upper hand as beggars. Third world poor families knowingly sell their
daughters into prostitution. If there are no options other than begging and
prostitution, wouldn't working in a Nike sweatshop be preferable? Well
perhaps not for everyone, but if one asked the little kids who are begging
on the street or the little girls who are bound for prostitution (or their
parents), I believe I know what the answer would be.
My apologies to the Washington protesters. I'm sure many of them are there
out of deep conviction and high ideals. However, what upsets me a little is
that going after agencies such as the WTO, the World Bank and the IMF has
become something of a blood sport. Not everything these agencies do is bad,
and I for one do not believe they are totally in bed with the MNCs. Perhaps
partly, but not totally. They are responsible to governments, and many
governments continue to be responsive to the whole of their constituents.
But in saying that, perhaps I'm simply revealing that I'm Canadian, and
therefore naive.
Arthur,
I recall the same sort of criticism being levelled at the anti-vietnam war
protesters. A small university elite who really don't understand how the
'real world' works, never met a payroll, never had an honest job, etc. etc.
Besides don't they know about the domino effect, etc. etc.
Agree with Ed, though, that it isn't clear that shutting down the IMF and
World Bank is going to solve much.
arthur
