30 Apr 13
1 edit
Originally posted by FMFIt has been my belief for some time that the wealthy nations should only
What system of labelling/licensing could most reliably and accurately inform consumers about the conditions under which the products they are buying were made?
import goods which have been manufactured in accordance with their own
labour laws (excluding minimum wage). So no under-age workers, no long
hours, no dangerous working conditions.
I don't think consumer pressure will do it.
30 Apr 13
Originally posted by FMF'B' corporations are one example. From Wikipedia:
What system of labelling/licensing could most reliably and accurately inform consumers about the conditions under which the products they are buying were made?
A B Corporation is a new type of corporation which uses the power of business to solve social and environmental problems. To address society's greatest challenges, B Corporations create value for society, not just shareholders. As of April 2013, there are 737 B Corporations across 60 industries in 24 nations around the world. The B Corporation Certification is for sustainable businesses much like Fair Trade is to coffee, LEED is to buildings and USDA organic certification is to milk. B Corps are certified by the nonprofit B Lab to meet rigorous standards of social and environmental performance, accountability, and transparency.
For the clothing industry, Patagonia is a certified B Corporation.
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30 Apr 13
1 edit
Originally posted by wolfgang59In the present Bangladesh case it would have to include building codes and government approval of building plans and of completed buildings. Then these aspects would need to be inspected by either the US companies importing the goods or by the US government. (This sort of US oversight exists in the pharma industry for imported drugs.) It is more likely that improvements in these areas would be brought about by the people of the country gaining the power to bring it about. But if they did, the costs might result in the US companies saying, why bother importing from that country?
It has been my belief for some time that the wealthy nations should only
import goods which have been manufactured in accordance with their own
labour laws (excluding minimum wage). So no under-age workers, no long
hours, no dangerous working conditions.
I don't think consumer pressure will do it.
30 Apr 13
Originally posted by FMFWhat would be the objective? When I buy a product, I want to know its suitability for its purpose, its durability, its quality, not where it was made or by whom.
What system of labelling/licensing could most reliably and accurately inform consumers about the conditions under which the products they are buying were made?
Let's say that it is labelled "Made in Indonesia", would that make me more or less likely to buy it? Should it make a difference, if the product is well made? Suppose I refrained from buying it, and a lot of others did as well, would that in any way benefit the production workers?
01 May 13
Originally posted by wolfgang59Same pay too???
It has been my belief for some time that the wealthy nations should only
import goods which have been manufactured in accordance with their own
labour laws (excluding minimum wage). So no under-age workers, no long
hours, no dangerous working conditions.
I don't think consumer pressure will do it.
01 May 13
Originally posted by normbenignWhat about, for example, whether or not the human rights of the manufacturing workers involved, and local laws pertaining to their work conditions, were observed or transgressed in the process of bringing the product to the consumer?
What detail would be important? It would differ greatly between an auto, and a pair of underpants.
01 May 13
Originally posted by JS357Certainly better working conditions would entail costs and in some instances
But if they did, the costs might result in the US companies saying, why bother importing from that country?
stop exports. But then that would be good for local industry.
However conditions in 3rd world countries are improved it will result in higher
costs.
01 May 13
Originally posted by joe beyserI think his meaning is clear; "their own labour laws" refers to those of the wealthy nations importing the products, but he specifically excludes applying the minimum wage in effect in the wealthy nations.
I read it that way too but it seems inconsistent with the rest of his post.
Do you think there could be a workable system to inform consumers about the conditions under which the things they purchase were made?