Thoughts on Manufacturing Overseas
Growing labor unrest in China is being met with repression, including imprisonment and torture, and a denial of basic human rights such as freedom of association and expression. Protests by angry workers over layoffs, wage arrears, poor working conditions and management corruption have been met with repression and force. Clashes between workers and armed police have resulted in casualties and arrests. Independent trade union movements have been suppressed since the late 1980s. As of April, 2002 Independent Trade Unions are not permitted in China.10
About 53% of the Peoples Republic of China population lives on $2/day US.
Estimated earned income for an American female/male for 2000 = $26,255/$42,246 ($US) 11
Estimated earned income for a Chinese female/male for 2000 = $3,132/$4,773 ($US) (about than 1/8 of their US equivalent) 12
Beijing, Shanghai, Seoul, Guangzhou, Shenzhen, Taipei were among the top 15 highest cost of living cities in the world in 2002. Higher than: Los Angeles, Chicago, San Francisco, Washington DC, Boston and Denver. 13
As the global labor market supports our nation’s fabricated need to consume cheap junk, as foreign labor conditions grow harsher, as living wages around the world lessen, consumers seem less interested in these issues than ever. We feel that it is the responsibility of every thinking person to know exactly what it is that they are buying, where it came from and what is the real cost of that product and its production. Was it made in a dignified and decent working environment? Are the people working in that factory being treated and paid fairly? Is their health and well being a concern for their employers? Are they paid enough to support their families and save for their future? Please consider these factors whenever you buy something at the store. Bike parts or anything else.
Emerging Asian economies have no real choice but to build themselves via utilization of their natural resources (mining, timber, oil and coal) and their vast expanses of land and willing labor. That China and other Asian countries must manufacture hard goods in order to grow is obvious. The rest of the world should not benefit from this situation without taking an informed and firm position on the human and environmental costs to the people that live in these developing countries. Asian manufacturing needs oversight and it needs concerned consumers to keep it from oppressing its workers and destroying its own environment.
Do not avoid Asian made products. Call or email your favorite bike companies before you buy. Insist on fair treatment of people and the environment regardless of nationality.
Please buy consciously.
10. Source: web.amnesty.org/ai.nsf/recent/ASA170152002
11. Source: U.N. HUMAN DEVELOPMENTREPORT 2002
12. Source: U.N. HUMAN DEVELOPMENTREPORT
13. Source: imercer.com