International Labor Rights U.S. imports of manufactured goods have increased in

Question

International Labor Rights
U.S. imports of manufactured goods have increased in recent years raising questions
about the conditions of workers producing those goods. For this week’s assignment,
respond to the following key questions.
Key questions:
provide a brief ( paragraph) to each question below 7 sentences per paragraph
1. Discuss whether or not workers are exploited in manufacturing of US imports. In
your response consider whether they are better off in that type of job or an
alternative. Provide a rationale.
2. Examine whether or not US consumers should boycott or increase in the
purchase of these goods and the effects that boycott or increase in purchase
would have on the workers.
3. Should standards be set for work rules in other countries? Or, should work rules be
left tothe political system in a particular country?
4. If work rules are set, who should set them and how should they be enforced?
No plagiarism and include references and citations

Explanation / Answer

1. GDP. Realize that the imports are usually acquired from developing economies. Recent data indicates that it has imported $2.2 trillion worth of goods and services in 2016. Major trading partners are member nations of European Union, China, Mexico, Canada, Japan, Caribbean etc. It imports majorly electric machinery, vehicles, crude oil, pharmaceuticals, etc.While the working conditions for the employees in advanced nations are standardized and workers receive all facilities from the government such as unemployment insurance, employee insurance, overtime packages, paid vacations, maternity leave, etc, working conditions in many developing nations are still unsuitable for employees. This includes limited government support, exploitation by employer, no extra pay for overtime, unhygienic working environment, etc.

2.Consumers face a lower price for these products and a choice to make from the variety of imports they choose from. In no manner whatsoever, consumers will shift to domestically produced goods which are almost similar in quality but are highly expensive. Hence boycott is not a solution. However, increase in demand for these products will increase pressure on employers in exporting nations. They might hire more labor which also includes child labor. Hence the exploitation will going to increase further. A proper balance between both purchases is required henceforth.

3. U.S. government cannot set standards for employees in other nations. But it can influence trading activities with those trading partners which are expected to have poor working conditions for the workers. Naturally, a healthy and safe working environment will increase productivity of these same employees. U.S. government can extend financial help to these nations on the condition that they improve the working conditions of their workers.

3.

This has been answered in the above question. Mostly nations set their own rules for workers but major trading partners can influence this behaviour. International labor union can help in this regard.

Related Questions

Navigate

• Browse (All)
• Browse I
• Subjects

Integrity-first tutoring: explanations and feedback only — we do not complete graded work. Learn more.