Pete Farmer wrote:
> I hesitate to post this because it carries us farther off-topic, but I'm
> weak-willed and can't resist. Sorry.
I really think this is off-topic. But, let me make some comments often
forgotten.
> As one of the wealthiest nations on earth, we're in a bit of a different
> position than Bangladesh. If we all "look for the union label" when buying
> clothing, we all pay a bit more, but what the heck -- we're rich and can
> afford it.
>
> The effects are a bit more severe on the laid-off Bangladesh worker living
> in a rusty corregated steel shack with no indoor plumbing, unable to feed
> his or her children, but at least we can feel proud for "buying American,"
> right?
No. The US is the second nation in women's worker rights, counting
from the least upwards. Bangladesh women have better rights than
US women at work. But, these rights are not accepted in the US. The
US will not accept US workers to have the same rights as Sweden workers,
either. Or, German workers. Or, French, Portuguese, Spanish. etc.
Now, can we please leave these discussions for the appropriate fora?
To repeat political discourses often miss the point that politics is the
art of the possible, not the art of what is "right", market-wise or even
ethical. Those that impose upon US women a mere 15-day leave for
pregancy and force her return five days after child birth even when
the birth does not arrive with the same time-precision as UK trains
used to, are simply ignorant that other "labor exploiting countries"
provide for a 4 month paid leave for the mother. Or, should those
"labor exploiting countries" now demand that US laws follow their
labor laws and reverse the issue?
Of course, if "buying American" is demonized to mean supporting
the exploitation of women in the US, then we may not feel like
"buying American", no?
In general, the only parallel I see between these discussions and those
here at IFWP is the unfortunate tendency to libel and demonization.
Very often, contrary to facts. Like above. But, I will continue to
"buy American" as well as to "buy Bangladesh" because I understand
that no one can be rich alone.
However, somehow, we need also to review and help those nations that
occupy the last places in human values. Bangladesh may help, then.
Cheers,
Ed Gerck
