Korean Job Discussion Forums

R. S. Refugee · Joined: 29 Sep 2004 Location: Shangra La, ROK

Modern-day slavery, some determined slave masters, and some uppity slaves revolting.

http://www.commondreams.org/archive/2007/05/03/936/

Big_Bird · Posted: Fri May 04, 2007 12:20 am Post subject:

When I lived in China, I'd sometimes explore the back streets of various cities, and would find myself from time to time popping my head into sweatshops, where the workers toiled away in dreadful conditions. After that, on principle, I always had my clothes made by tailors. I'd pay more, but at least I knew someone was being properly compensated for their labour. The clothes were still made up of cloth manufactured under sweatshop conditions of course, but at least a little less exploitation was involved.

Now that clothes are made in China and so cheap, my mum regularly buys a whole lot of them. I don't really see why she needs so many clothes though. I'm happy with a wardrobe of 10 days worth of clothes, plus a few outfits for special occasions.

igotthisguitar · Posted: Fri May 04, 2007 12:23 am Post subject:

It's the MAIN reason US politicians for years turned a blind eye & allowed so many poor illegal immigrants to flood across the nation's southern borders.

i.e. They need to compete with CHINA's sprawling slave labour pool.

Big_Bird · Posted: Fri May 04, 2007 12:29 am Post subject:

This reminds me why our great grandfathers fought so hard for the right to join a union. In the last couple of decades, unions have been smashed, without much protest from the general population who seem to have forgotten why we needed them in the first place. I suspect that, given a couple more decades, unions will make a comeback in the West.