Global Inequality - Introduction

Global Inequality SOCI 1306 Introduction The catastrophic results of abuse and negligence in the global apparel business are exemplified by the collapse of the Rana Plaza on April 24, 2013, in Dhaka, Bangladesh. This horrific incident, which left over 1,100 people dead and several more injured, is the worst garment manufacturing disaster in history. The Department of Communication for the International Labour Organisation pointed out in 2014 that this catastrophe was completely avoidable. In addition to housing 5,000 textile workers, the building also had a bank, residences, daycare centres, and a variety of stores. Many of these restaurants were forced to close when breaches in the building's walls were found the day before it collapsed. But several garment workers faced threats of losing a month's wages when they voiced their concerns and declined to enter the facility. The extreme power disparity and difficult financial conditions that many of these laborers—the majority of whom were young women in their twenties or younger—faced are reflected in this coercion. Usually, these young ladies had demanding work schedules that required them to put in over thirteen hours a day with just two days off each month. Their pay for working long hours ranged from twelve to twenty-two cents an hour, or from $10.56 to $12.48 a week. This small salary was not enough to support their families, much less give them a safe and hygienic place to live. In sharp contrast, time-and-half compensation is guaranteed to employees who work more than the typical forty-hour workweek, with the federal minimum wage in the United States set at $7.25 per hour. The difference in pay and working conditions draws attention to the exploitation that occurs in the international supply chains that link Western customers to the labour of people in developing countries. The Rana Plaza tragedy serves as a reminder of how interwoven international trade is and the moral obligations it entails. Remarkably, the markets in the United States, Canada, and Europe accounted for thirty-two percent of the garments made in the building that fell. There, well-known companies like Walmart and The Children's Place produced their goods. Walmart jeans were produced on the building's fifth level. These businesses donated large amounts to the Rana Plaza Trust Fund following the tragedy: $1 million from Walmart and $450,000 from The Children's Place. Fifteen additional firms who produced apparel in the building declined to donate to the fund despite these contributions, highlighting a larger problem of corporate responsibility in the face of labour breaches and violations of human rights. As buyers, we are frequently cut off from the truths about the manufacturing procedures that go into the products we buy. But the collapse of the Rana Plaza is a sobering reminder of the human cost of our consuming patterns. It poses important queries on the international system that permits American businesses to outsource their manufacture to nations with cheap labour costs and slack labour laws. Because of this structure, workers frequently find themselves in hazardous workplaces with little to no protection against exploitation— conditions that some have compared to slave labour. These international supply networks' ethical ramifications raise the following issues: Are Americans obligated to provide for the needs of foreign workers? Should American companies be held responsible for the working conditions in which their goods are produced? These are not just theoretical concerns; they require real-world solutions and proactive participation from all parties involved, including businesses, governments, and consumers. First and foremost, customers can make a significant contribution by making well-informed purchases. Supporting companies that value ethical labour standards and openness in their supply chains will enable customers to increase demand for better working conditions. Initiatives like the Bangladesh Accord on Fire and Building Safety and certifications like Fair Trade provide customers with a way to recognise and support businesses that uphold moral standards. Additionally, by supporting legislation that makes businesses accountable for the labour conditions in their supply chains, consumers may further their advocacy for improved labour standards and corporate responsibility. Significant improvements can also result from activism and public pressure; this is seen by the numerous consumer boycotts and campaigns that have been effective in pressuring businesses to embrace more moral business practices. It is imperative that American companies take responsibility for their part in sustaining unfair labour practices and move proactively to protect the health and welfare of labourers in their supply chains. This entails carrying out routine audits, making investments in safer manufacturing settings, and cooperating with regional administrations and nongovernmental organisations to raise labour standards. Additionally, companies must to pay their employees fairly and offer benefits so that they are not compelled to jeopardise their safety due to financial hardship. Lastly, governments are essential to the regulation and enforcement of labour standards both nationally and globally. Governments may prevent worker exploitation and hold firms responsible for infractions by enacting and enforcing strict labour regulations. Establishing and upholding international labour standards is also crucial to averting future catastrophes such as the collapse of the Rana Plaza. To sum up, the Rana Plaza tragedy serves as a stark reminder of the pressing need for structural transformation in the world's apparel sector. It draws attention to the significant moral obligations that individuals, organisations, and governments have to provide secure and equitable working conditions for all employees, regardless of where they are employed. We can contribute to the creation of a more equitable and compassionate global economy that recognises and respects each worker's dignity by making deliberate decisions and holding people accountable.