Article Written By: Sarah J Jones
In the last few years the world has undergone big changes in terms of trade and now there is no place too far away. The developing countries have much lower costs of production, which has led to many companies shifting their production units in these countries. Production costs are huge even in the United Kingdom, and this can be a good opportunity for any businessman to shift the production processes to the developing countries. Most of this outsourcing industry is being taken over by Asia as it offers lower labour costs and a stronger industrial line-up.
However, some of these companies, mainly related to electronics and garments, are misusing this opportunity and exploiting the natives. They find it very convenient to pay minimum to the workers and use their power to exploit the labour in other ways as well.Many cases have been recorded where the workers were treated unfairly, and were even deprived of the already inadequate pay if someone tried to protest. These factories are producing with minimum cost, and then sell the merchandize to more lucrative markets of the west. They are the only ones making huge profits by this unethical arrangement.When this information was made public in the UK, the media got united and started asking questions. People even boycotted the products of a company; this company was known to be involved in these practices.Given the rising awareness among the people, many companies have stopped behaving in a brutal manner with their outsourced employees. They have improved the working conditions of their production units, and they pay a handsome salary to their employees. However, some companies are covertly using the same tactic to produce cheaper products.A customer, thus, has a responsibility to check for the production facilities and methodology of a company before buying its products. He or she can easily find out about the ethical practices of a company by visiting its website and searching the internet to find about any negative reviews. In case of a bad reputation, it is the ethical duty of the customers to abandon purchase from that company.Another problem we face through this outsourcing is the lack of proper environmental standards. Just like they take labour for granted, some of the companies, working in the developing countries, also pollute the environment they work in. They take advantage of the fact that most of these countries do not have proper check and balance for environmental issues. Logically speaking, this problem is even bigger than mistreating the labour as it affects a far bigger number of lives. Every customer should check before buying products related to such companies.The only solution to this problem is a careful attitude by the customers. They are the only people who can force a company to change its practices, whether social or environmental. If the customers are united and fight for an ethically fair practice by the company, no one will be able to breach the laws related to workers or environment.Sarah J Jones is a fashion designer. Ethical Clothing is getting well liked in the new century. Learn more about it from his recommended website at http://www.saharalondon.com
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This Article Has Been Published on Mon, 12 Oct 2009 and Read 530 Times