Sweatshop (or sweat factory) is a pejorative term for a workplace that has socially unacceptable working conditions. The work may be difficult, dangerous or be paid a wage that is not commensurate. Workers in 'sweatshops' may work long hours for low pay, regardless of laws mandating overtime pay or a minimum wage; child labor laws may also be violated
Sweatshops are manufacturing facility where workers endure poor working conditions, long hours, low wages and other violations of labor rights. Unfortunately, places known as sweatshops are particularly common in developing countries where labor laws are often not enforced. Factories can be located in dangerous and deteriorating buildings that are not safe places to work. There have been several cases of factory collapses and fires that have resulted in more than 1800 fatalities. Other issues of concern are workers with exposure to toxic substances or using dangerous machinery without adequate protection.
1. A "sweatshop" is defined by the US Department of Labour as a factory that violates 2 or more labour laws.
2. Sweatshops often have poor working conditions, unfair wages, unreasonable hours, child labour, and a lack of benefits for workers. Take a stand and protest: Ask your school to make its apparel under fair conditions. Sign up for Tightly Whitey Rally.
3. In developing countries, an estimated 250 million children ages 5 to 14 are forced to work.
4. America has stronger labour laws than most undeveloped countries, but it is not free of sweatshops. Many slip under the radar of the US Department of Labour.
5. Products that commonly come from sweatshops are shoes, clothing, rugs, coffee, chocolate, toys, and bananas.
6. A study showed that doubling the salary of sweatshop workers would only increase the consumer cost of an item by 1.8%, while consumers would be willing to pay 15% more to know a product did not come from a sweatshop.
7. Sweatshops do not alleviate poverty. The people who are forced to work must spend the majority of their pay check on food for their families to survive.
8. According to the National Labour Committee, women sewing NBA jerseys make 24 cents per garment that will eventually sell for $140
9. Men and women alike are subjected to verbal, physical, and sexual abuse in factories from their managers and supervisors. They are sometimes trapped in the factory and forced to work overnight or across multiple shifts.
10. In 2000, more than 11,000 sweatshops in the US violated the minimum wage and overtime laws, while over 16,000 had broken health and safety laws.
11. Because women make up 85 to 90% of sweatshop workers, employers force them to take birth control and routine pregnancy tests to avoid supporting maternity leave or providing appropriate health benefits.