An Ugly Side of Free Trade: Sweatshops in Jordan

It has been recorded that people working in factories in Jordan are working as much as 120 hours per week, meaning that a worker is only given 48 hours a week off. This astonishing statistic is currently supported by America. In the article it says, “Jordan’s apparel industry exported 1.2 billion dollars to the united states last year”. By continuing to import products from Jordan, a place where sweatshops are common, the United States is saying that it is okay for people to work under horrible conditions, for little pay and long hours. In reality, the United States made a point in banning sweatshops because it is understood that working “20-hour days, of not being paid for months and of being hit by supervisors and jailed when they complain” is morally wrong; however, by trading with Jordan the united States is making it clear that they believe sweatshops are okay as long as they are in other countries. Not only is the United States businesses and government paying for sweatshops to continue to run, but so are citizens of the US. How many people shop at Kohls, Wal-Mart, J.C. Penney, Sears, or Target? Investigators found workers from other countries who confess that they worked in a sweatshop for one of the stores listed above. Not only have these people been found guilty for working in sweatshops, but they also said that they were stripped of their rights while working. For example, a man named Amman worked in one of the factories in Jordan. He explained how he was stripped of his identity by the company, “My identity has been taken by the company. I have no freedom to move to other places”. Factories in Jordan promised workers one thing, but broke the promise for the benefit of the company, harming the worker. This article is an example of how horrifying sweatshops are and why United States banned them from existing in their country. Although they were banned, the United States continues to support the other countries where sweatshops exist by trading with them.

Greenhouse, Steven, and Michael Barbaro. "An Ugly Side of Free Trade: Sweatshops in Jordan.(Business/Financial Desk)." The New York Times. (May 3, 2006): C1(L). Opposing Viewpoints Resource Center. Gale. Deerfield High School. 10 Feb. 2010 .