Question

10. In the article "We're Not Getting Any Closer to Eliminating Sweatshops," the author lists the following recommendations from the HRW report: "Human Rights Watch (HRW) gives several recommendations within its 140-page report about possible solutions to the problem. Some of the injustices happen as initial contracted factories for big-name brands outsource to other, often more inhumane, factories. HRW urges companies that discover this to report such actions to Better Factories Cambodia, as often the most egregious human rights violations occur when an unofficial factory is! charged with producing a brand's goods on a tight deadline. HRW also urges brands to disclose all of their authorized production units," and when those factories were last inspected. HRW asks for Better Factories Cambodia to come up with better ways to conduct off-site worker interviews away from eavesdropping bosses who might reciprocate with firing or other abuses in the case of a negative report. Better Factories Cambodia should also expand its Transparency Database to include the names of sourcing brands and have information readily available to workers, not just factory owners, according to HRW's recommendations." What else would you add to this list of starting points for solutions?

Answer 1

Consumer brands should be made to regularly publish information about suppliers or manufacturing conditions and maintain their factory lists to be updated on a periodic basis. The government needs to safeguard fundamental rights to freedom of association and address culture of impunity for violence in the factories by encouraging group based bargaining rights.  Factories should avoid unrealistic production demands and targets that suddenly accelerate production rates and create high-stress working environment for workers. Also the regulations need to limit the use of temporary/outsourced labor which neglects employer liability for the protection of workers.