Child labor in multinational businesses
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Child labor is one of the contemporary global issues which has been in existence since time immemorial. However, multinational organizations do not take this phenomenon seriously. Instead, they advocate for such under-age working with the perception that children are so productive in workplaces as compared to other workers of that particular field (Zutsh et al., 2009). Similarly, young children are less likely to complain about poor working conditions as well as any other form of injustice in the workplace. Research tells that there has been an increasing trend in the number of children working in firms within the third world countries (Nogler & Pertile, 2016). The primary rationale behind this phenomenon is the financial background of a child that pushes them towards working in the field to get some money for keeping themselves as well as eating. The document, therefore, gives an analysis of three cases of child labor in multinational businesses within the past five years;
Microsoft is a company with a global reputation as being one of the companies that have created employment for many individuals, and it is also considered as the best-performing company in the worldwide market. However, allegations were filed in the year 2018, concerning the cases of child labor within the company scope (Burke). It was noted that the company used child labor in cobalt mining firms in DRC Congo. Conversely, the company is so familiar with the existing laws and regulations concerning the use of child labor but took little consideration of the policies. It is also evident that the entire phenomenon is a total failure to uphold responsibility in society.
Further research tells children as young as seven were working in the toxic and hostile conditions within the mines with long hours without a break. Consequently, the company reacted quickly by filing a report in late 2018, that it had taken actions and addressed the issue permanently. With these reports, the Amnesty, which was doing the investigations, confirmed that the matter had been discussed by Microsoft company. However, Amnesty claimed that they will keep a vigil on the grounds of the DRC cobalt mines as there is still a long way to go.
Apple company is another firm that has been identified with child labor in the past years. Firstly, the company, which is well known for a strong and innovative brand as well as the forefront in technology, produces many units of iPhone X product. It was then noted that the company was using schoolchildren to create these best-selling iPhone X phones. The company admitted their failure to uphold human rights, and immediately responded to by doing away with schoolchildren within the supply chain (Garside, 2013). Other claims were surfaced in the past two years that the company is also using school students below the age of eighteen to manufacture apple watches under the guise of the internship. The contractor who was in charge was accused and later agreed with ending child labor practices within the firm.
Sports direct is another global company that has struggled with its public image due to frequent doubtful employment practices within its supply chain. The company is UK-based, and its line of products is clothing with its market place in the global region. In the recent past, the company has been using child labor in their industries with low wage payment and poor working conditions (Donnelly & Petherick, 2004). However, the company executives were too reluctant to change the system even after being commanded by the authority to do so. Sports Direct as reluctant to change their labor force since it had for so long depended on the cheap and readily available labor from the children.
From the research above, it can be concluded that child labor remains a contemporary issue across the globe. While the relevant authorities are doing their best to stop the whole phenomenon, the individual citizens are not actively playing their role in ending child labor in workplaces. Company executives, on the other hand, should not take advantage of the cheap cost and availability of child labor in making their output. Instead, they should be responsible enough to use the correct labor force in their firms (Chaudhuri & Dwibedi, 2007). Similarly, the authorities should formulate robust policies against those found guilty of using child labor in their industries.
References
Burke, T. Cleaning Up Cobalt: Who Is Responsible?
Chaudhuri, S., & Dwibedi, J. K. (2007). Foreign capital inflow, fiscal policies, and incidence of child labor in a developing economy. The Manchester School, 75(1), 17-46.
Donnelly, P., & Petherick, L. (2004). Workers’ playtime? Child labor at the extremes of the sporting spectrum. Sport in society, 7(3), 301-321.
Garside, J. (2013). Child labor uncovered in Apple’s supply chain. The Guardian, 25.
Nogler, L., & Pertile, M. (2016). Child labor in a globalized world: a legal analysis of ILO action. Routledge.
Zutshi, A., Creed, A., & Sohal, A. (2009). Child labor and supply chain: profitability or (mis) management. European Business Review.