ECONOMISTS AND SWEATSHOPS
In: Dissent: a journal devoted to radical ideas and the values of socialism and democracy, Band 44, Heft 4, S. 11-13
ISSN: 0012-3846
THIS ARTICLE DISPUTES A NEW YORK TIMES ARTICLE STATING THAT "THERE ARE TOO FEW SWEATSHOPS" AND "THE OVERWHELMING MAINSTREAM VIEW AMONG ECONOMISTS IS THAT THE GROWTH OF THIS KIND OF EMPLOYMENT IS TREMENDOUS GOOD NEWS FOR THE WORLD'S POOR." IN CLAIMING THAT THERE ARE NO ALTERNATIVES TO INDUSTRIALIZATION BASED ON LOW WAGES, THE ARTICLE FAILS TO MAKE A CRUCIAL DISTINCTION. IT IS ONE THING FOR A COUNTRY TO ATTRACT INVESTMENT BECAUSE IT IS POOR AND ITS WAGES ARE LOW. IT IS ANOTHER THING ENTIRELY FOR THE GOVERNMENT OF A COUNTRY ACTING IN CONCERT WITH MULTINATIONAL CORPORATIONS, TO SUPPRESS WAGES BY VIOLATING INTERNATIONALLY RECOGNIZED WORKER RIGHTS. THE HISTORY OF WORKERS' RIGHTS IN THE UNITED STATES IS DISCUSSED AS WELL AS HOW TO RESPOND TO THE SAME CHALLENGE ON A GLOBAL LEVEL.