Reassessing the Exploitation Charge in Sweatshop Labor
Reassessing the Exploitation Charge in Sweatshop Labor
Author(s): Huseyin S. KuyumcuoğluSubject(s): Ethics / Practical Philosophy, Contemporary Philosophy, Labor relations, Human Resources in Economy, Business Ethics
Published by: KruZak
Keywords: Exploitation; theories of exploitation; sweatshops; sweatshop criticism;
Summary/Abstract: One common argument against sweatshops is that they are exploitative. Exploitation is taken as sufficient reason to condemn sweatshops as unjust and to argue that sweatshop owners have a moral duty to offer better working conditions to their employees. In this article, I argue that any exploitation theory falls short of covering all standard cases of sweatshops as exploitative. In going through the most prominent theories of exploitation, I explain why any given sweatshop can either be wrongfully exploitative or not, depending on the exploitation theory being considered and the circumstances of the application. I conclude by suggesting that sweatshop critics had better find other reasons besides the charge of exploitation to protest or interfere with these workplaces.
Journal: Croatian Journal of Philosophy
- Issue Year: XXIII/2023
- Issue No: 68
- Page Range: 221-240
- Page Count: 20
- Language: English