Sunday, May 1, 2011

Do You Know How the Demand for Your Toys Is Met?

My college friend in Ireland sent me a thought-provoking article today on the terrible toll the Western demand for tech gadgets is taking on Chinese workers. I have been concerned about this for a while, and can't believe that next to nothing is being done about it. The story about one worker in the industrial dormitories having to write a confession letter for just using a hair dryer is heartbreaking. We need to be aware of this and also understand that it could easily be us. Corporations don't care who they are abusing, so long as it is convenient and cost effective for them:

Unimaginable worker abuse

The Real Cost of Those 'Shiny Gadgets'