from Robert Reich
'I spent years as labor secretary trying to get major U.S. retailers and manufacturers to take responsibility for their overseas factories -- which were often dangerous, typically demanded 12-hour days 7-days a week, sometimes from children, and brutally treated any workers who sought higher wages through efforts to unionize. The only way Walmart and the gap, as well as big U.S. clothing and footwear companies, would put pressure on their foreign subcontractors was if I threatened them with bad press (which I did on a number of occasions), and also used a provision of U.S. law allowing me to stop the shipment of goods made illegally.
Now, according to human rights groups, progress has stopped. U.S. companies are going back on their pledges to control their foreign subcontractors. In Bangladesh, tens of thousands of workers sew garments in buildings without proper fire exits; in Cambodia, workers who protest for higher wages are shot and killed.
Big U.S. retailers and manufacturers could stop labor and human rights abuses abroad if they wanted to, because foreign subcontractors are dependent on them. But U.S. companies -- seeking the best and cheapest deals -- won't do so unless forced to do so. Which is why the Obama Administration's labor department must step in.'
What do you think?
https://www.facebook.com/RBReich/?fref=nf
Retailers Like H&M and Walmart Fall Short of Pledges to Overseas Workers.
http://www.nytimes.com/2016/05/31/business/international/top-retailers-fall-short-of-commitments-to-overseas-workers.html?
= new reply since forum marked as read
