Nike
The issues of child labor are becoming a growing concern as developed countries recognize the inhumanities of child labor in lesser-developed countries. Proposed solutions, such as sanctioning countries with poor labor practices, create further problems, while issues like the Asian economic crisis are increasing the difficulty of such solutions. The main efforts to counter the problem are left in the hands of an international council that relies solely on public and social pressure to police the issue. Child labor problems are not limited to developing nations but represent a different problem. In the article, Child Labor Crises Worsening, the International Labor Organization (ILO), warns that the estimated number of child laborers in Africa could rise from 80 million currently, to more than 100 million by the year 2015. 1 Other statistics put out by the ILO state that approximately 41 percent of African children between the ages of five and fourteen are involved in economic activity, 21% in Asia and 17% in Latin America. Also, worldwide, 250 million children are working.2. The most important efforts to eliminate child labor abuse throughout the world come from the ILO, founded in 1919 and now a special agency of the United Na
Solving the child labor issue seems to be apparent when countries have something to be gained. Members of the WTO, notably the American's, have long wanted to link trade liberalization and labor standards. Other WTO member nations smell protection and not with out reason. "American unions have long argued that low wages and labor standards in the third world create "unfair" competition for American workers."15 If trade unions are recognized, wages in developing nations might rise while child labor is reduced, although the overall employment level would ultimately drop as higher labor costs drive manufactures out.16 It is suggested that companies like Nike could survive on long term profits while respecting labor practices. "Investors believe companies like Nike have the capacity to generate substantial profits over the long term while paying workers their fair share of the revenue generated in part by their productive labor. Minimally that means paying a wage sufficient to meet basic labor needs and provide discretionary income."21 Trade unions backed by US politicians, as explored in the World trade survey: Brothers up in arms, suggest imposing trade sanctions as a punishment for countries that ignore minimum standards of decency. This World Trade Organization (WTO), disagrees; "its rules do not ban imports made by either slave labor of child labor, only those produced by prison labor.4 The problem is, the WTO says labor standards are the domain of the ILO, while the ILO makes no link between labor standards and trade, and can therefore do nothing.5 Furthermore, Patric Lane argues that imposing trade sanctions will have devastating effects on third world economies. In this example, Lane explains why third world countries rely on such meager wages. Suppose "third world Country A" uses adult labor to produce goods to export, but relied on "third world Country B" for imports of raw materials to produce goods. Country B uses child labor. If Cou
Some common words found in the essay are:
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Approximate Word count = 1325
Approximate Pages = 5 (250 words per page double spaced)
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