Solutions To My Problem Statement

Solutions

1. Have consumers in developed countries stop buying items that are made unethically. This solution will have direct effects because companies will realize that their sales are going down. Due to the fact that companies strive to maximize profits, they will quickly begin producing their good ethically.

2. Have the United States government implement a tariff on imports that were made unethically. The tariff will make it expensive for companies to import unethically made goods. This action will decrease profits forcing companies to search for alternate production methods.

3. Legislation Enforced by the Bureau of International Labor Affairs (ILAB) under the Department of Labor. This legislation will require annual factory checks to make sure that a companies production practices are ethical. The people hired to carry out these checks will write a report about the building conditions and working conditions in these factories. These reports will be made public as an incentive for these companies to produce in an ethical manner. If consumers know that the products that they wish to buy are being produced by exploited workers, than they will most likely not want to buy them. Due to the fact that the United States is an economic super power, other developed countries will see how America is regulating the production practices of its companies and will implement similar legislation.

4. Have the governments of the countries where the unethical production practices are taking place enforce their building codes, working condition standards, and  minimum wages. By doing so the buildings will become safer places to work and workers will make enough money to support themselves and their families. Overall quality life will increase for these workers.

5. Sanctions can be put in place by developed countries' governments to dictate where companies can produce. By doing this, governments can make it illegal for companies to produce in countries that exploit their workers through poor overall working conditions. This will address the problem directly and will effectively solve the problem.


I have decided to choose solution 3 (bold) for my proposal simply because it has the least amount negative repercussions. Also, there are some aspects of the other four solutions that are not economically feasible or prudent.