sweatshops still?

Here on campus last week, a group of 12 students were arrested for a peaceful protest in President Coleman's office.

Their cause? Sweatshops.

Apparently, UM clothing is purchased through companies that work through sweatshops. Coleman's respoonse resembled: that UM doesn't take demands from students. The students were released, but continue to protest.

A few days ago in a discussion of economics (sick, i sound like a grad student), I heard that if sweatshops are closed down it would be hardship for the families who need the wages for survival. Ahhh! Ethical Dilemma!

The problem is that the wages are so low that the worker becomes more like a servant than an employee. If we advocate for a desist from purchasing from those 'sweatshop' companies we take their business but also take what little money exists in the workers pockets.

Product prices are higher for coffee and cocoa companies that use 'fair trade' agreements about equitable prices, but the selling companies are treated fairly. As a result the workers recieve just wages. I obviously don't know all the issues involved about this, but I'm working it out.

globalexchange.org
sweatshop.org
Hrw.org
iccr.org

...a few sites that keep watch on corporations; I got these from Shane Claiborn's book Irresistable Revolution