Archive for October 2007
Blah
I really hate wordpress/ blogging in general. I feel there could have been a much more effective and productive project we could have done. I am sorry if I offend anyone who likes this project, just venting out my feelings about.
1 comment October 22, 2007
Help Out
If you would like to show your support against sweats shops go to www.nosweat.org.uk and click on merchandise. There you can purchase items like the No Sweat t-shirts. Funds go to help those affected by sweatshops.
Add comment October 22, 2007
Why Companies Feel The Need to Have Sweatshops
I understand that in today’s society money is crucial, but how can someone abused another to gain money? Companies in the U.S. have to abide by certain labor laws, and they do alright. But, why do they feel the need to go to undeveloped countries and exploit the fact that they are poor. Yes, raw materials are cheaper, but because of that fact, would they really be losing money by treating their workers fairly? I am almost certain that most Americans wouldn’t tolerate working under these conditions, so why do those in the sweatshops tolerate it. America had to fight to gain the labor laws we have today, and we need to fight to gain it for all under any American Company. It’s no wonder why so many countries do not like the U.S. We only seem to want to protect our own.
Add comment October 22, 2007
Crimes Latin America
So far there has been a total of 5 labor leaders killed in Guatemala. This shows the risk of organizing labor in the country. In 2005 CAFTA was created, after much dispute about the strength of the worker safeguards. Just last year Guatemala has implemented the pacts. The country has been known for labor abuses, especially during it’s 36 years long civil war. Even now workers rights are still weak. Opponents of this pact say that tougher rules must be enforced before America should trade with countries like Guatemala. The U.S. Trade Representative has given $40 million dollars to help stregthen Guatemala’s labor ministies, helping with industrial disputes, and monitoring labor abuses. Though, little has changed.
Add comment October 22, 2007
Sweatshops
This is a list of some of the companies that have already been established as having sweatshops:
Apple
Nike
Disney
Coca-Cola
Burberry
Starbucks
The Gap
Wal-Mart
Are you surprised by some of the names? I bet you have been to nearly all of these companies’ stores, did you know that they use sweatshops to manufacture your goods? Now that you know, what are you gonna do about it?
www.nosweat.org.uk
3 comments October 22, 2007
Queen Phinizee
Queen Phinizee is a 39 year old woman, who has know first hand what is like working at a sweatshop. For 21 years she has been working as a sewing machine operator, and has managed to make a good living. But, all that changed when she started working a company named American Power Source, a little over a year ago. Now she can hardly make ends meet. She has lost her home and depends on charity funds to help pay for medical expenses among other things. Though she works long hours, she can’t seem to make enough money. Queen isn’t the only one suffering. A report published by UNITE HERE, detail the abuse workers like her have to endure. The company has had major pay cuts, increase in production, many workers have to work long overtime, and unsafe working conditions with accidents going without recognition. What makes this sad, is that this is close to home. This isn’t a claim in South America, it’s here in the United States. Sweatshops are not fantasy stories in countries you are never gonna visit. They are very much, in American cities around you.
www.behindthelabel.org
Add comment October 22, 2007
June 25, 2007
On June 25, 2007 a raid on a Bedford maufacturing company led to 361 undocumented workers being arrested. Among these were 3 underaged workers. These workers recieved small wages and often worked overtime without pay. Their wages were docked for tardiness, taking to long in the restrooms, and for just talking on the job. They were sent to prisons in Texas and New Mexico while waiting for legal action to take place.
www.behindthelabel.org
1 comment October 22, 2007
FIRE
On March 25, 1911 a fire broke out in the Triangle Waist Company. It killed 146 workers, some as young as 15, and helped raised awareness of the inhumane treatment of factory workers at the time. When the fire broke out on the top floor of the building many rushed to the exits only to find them locked, because the employers believed that the workers stole goods. When the doors didn’t open they then went to the fire escape, which didn’t lead to anywhere, and bent under the weight of the workers. Some of the wome chose to wait by the windows until the fire department came to rescue them, but the cherry pickers couldn’t reach the top floor and the water from houses came nowhere near them. Escape seemingly impossible, many chose to jump out of the windows to their deaths, then stay and be burned alive. This is just an example of how little employers cared about the employees under their care. These unsafe working conditions were in almost all of the factories, but this incident helped push for saftey rules and better working conditions.
Add comment October 14, 2007
The Beginning
Back in the 1800′s most clothing had to be made by hand, therefore there was always a need for seamtresses. These women sat at home sewing most of the day, usually 16 hours, and were paid by the piece. These women were never paid enough for the hours they worked, and shop owners often tried to find something wrong with the garmet so they didn’t have to pay them. These women were just the first to experience the hard working conditions of sweatshops. As times in America got harder, and demand for ready-to-wear clothing grew, many families had to enlist their children to help make money for the family. These children had jobs in mines, factories, or on farms. Many of these children did not survive the harse conditions of the sweatshops. Though thanks to people such as Hine, Lewis Wickes, child labour was banned in America.
1 comment October 14, 2007
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