International labor standards are complex and closely related to global sourcing. In particular, the use of sweatshops has attracted much attention. A sweatshop is a factory characterized by very low wages, long hours, and poor working conditions. Some sweatshops employ children in unsafe conditions. Pro-labor groups advocate for minimum labor standards in foreign factories. Suppose your future employer wants to outsource a portion of its production to certain developing countries but is concerned about the possibility of employing sweatshop labor. Visit the websites of groups that encourage minimum standards in labor conditions (for example, www.workersrights.org, www.usas.org, or www.

corpwatch.org or enter the keywords “labor conditions”

at globalEDGE™) and prepare a memo to your employer that discusses the major concerns of those who advocate minimum labor standards.

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