Do you believe that child labor and slave labor should still be a common practice in lesser developed countries?

Question

Many modern day companies profit off of slave labor and child labor in lesser developed countries. For example, Nestle harvests their cocoa with child labor in Ghana. Another example would be Target harvesting their cotton with the same unethical practices in Uzbekistan. Walmart, Starbucks, H&M;, Target, Nike and Apple are also guilty of these same practices. It is obviously wrong, there is no doubt about it, however I mentioned something on twitter about Nestle using these practices and it blew up and sparked some debate. One person mentioned that “some families rely on everyone in their household to work in 3rd world countries Horrible by 1st world standards, but they are NOT 1st world countries”. *Subsequently, supporting these major industries is creating a constant demand for those products to be supplied, thus supporting unethical labor, but if these families rely on their work is it wrong to support it?* Most of the things I buy are fair trade, cruelty free and vegan, but the more I learn about this forced labor issue the more I question the things I really need and purchase. Maybe this isn’t controversy, but I would love to hear what people think about this topic, more insight with different perspectives would be great.

Accepted Answer

Why on earth would anyone vote yes?

Answer

I think it’s very concerning that 4% are in favor of slave labor in poor countries

Answer

No, but I find it hard to believe that every person who voted no is striving to investigate the origin of some of their purchases, unfortunately. When I first found out about these things, like you, I too began to question my need for these things. That’s when I asked myself if I could even produce my own clothing. I tried it, and failed miserably. I was able to make some pillows though. It was then that I realized that if I couldn’t even create this shit myself that I had 0 business in contributing to industries where I knew that this stuff was a result of the mistreatment of others. I now only thrift shop at a select set of stores that directly benefit local employees and local nonprofits. It’s cheaper that way and I know I’m actually doing good for the people around me instead of contributing to child sweatshop labor and such. To everyone who voted no, I hope that you will strive to eliminate at least one thing from your lifestyle that can be produced off of the labor of others. Whether that is growing your own food, making your own clothes or shopping at thrift stores, not eating meat, switching over to a different phone or only buying a used phone, etc, give it a try.

Answer

No. It would be better to promote fair wages in those countries (ESPECIALLY from international companies that are just looking for cheap labor) than to promote maintaining slave and child labor. Sheesh.

Answer

Even if families are poor and reliant on everyone to work in the household, children still deserve to have a childhood. They deserve to go to school, play with their friends and not have to work in mines or factories etc. 
It's really shitty that such big companies are still benefiting from child labour. It should all be stopped.

Answer

I think the yes votes are coming from people reading “could” instead of “should.” I accidentally did that. I was reading “could they exist” and was like “hell yes they do, they need to stop and realize this is a problem and DEFINITELY exists” and then reread (after seeing the results) and was disappointed in my lack of attention to detail. I’m hoping that’s the case with the other votes, otherwise, that’s super awful.

Answer

Do i think it's very sad that children have too work too help out their family? Absolutely, but I also understand that the families are so poor they can't even feed their children.Their children working might be the only way they get fed for the day.If child labor laws are implemented in povershed countries is that taking food away from the family and essentially the children?

Answer

Yes, children working should be allowed but child labor generally means when done illegally or inhumanely. I think we need to remember that children can legally and humanely work, in the US there are actually laws about how long an infant can work (the only place I know this to be legal is filming for tv/movies) and you can generally work at 14. There are limits and protections that make these examples very different from child labor sweat shops but you can't say any child working in another country is child labor, given no other information.

Answer

No to slave labor. And my first reaction is no child labor either... however I see the point you made about child labor. Some families need everyone (including the kids) to work or they all starve to death. So in those cases I would expect that the children should get paid a fair wage and not to forced (by the companies) to work any more than the child is willing/wanting to work.

Answer

It’s not slavery if they are being paid, in many other countries it’s pretty normal for every member of the house hold to work. These companies do their business in other countries because it is cheaper employment. The children in question would already be working regardless of it being for these big businesses, if anything they are giving them more job opportunities therefore it’s not a slavery situation.

Do you believe that child labor and slave labor should still be a common practice in lesser developed countries?

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