Re:I got hired at a Bangladesh sweatshop. Meet my 9-year-old...
by chrischen on Saturday October 12, 2013 @09:08PM
(#6541046)
1. Are the lives of the people who work in these factories better or worse as a result of these jobs existing?
Are the benefits short-term or long-term? Foreign demand for the products and short-term uplifting in quality of life is artificial, and could in fact serve to hurt the development of the country in the long-term. For example, high availability of low-paying jobs could distract the country from focusing on education. People might start optimizing for the current situation, by preparing kids to work in the factory as young as possible, instead of realizing that education and investment in human capital is the only way to long-term lift oneself out of poverty.
Are the benefits short-term or long-term? Foreign demand for the products and short-term uplifting in quality of life is artificial, and could in fact serve to hurt the development of the country in the long-term. For example, high availability of low-paying jobs could distract the country from focusing on education. People might start optimizing for the current situation, by preparing kids to work in the factory as young as possible, instead of realizing that education and investment in human capital is the only way to long-term lift oneself out of poverty.