When it comes to large orders, economists often talk about the benefits of economies of scale. The Washington Post article "Chinese Workers Pay for Wal-Mart's Low Prices" does not see "efficiency" but rather exploitations.

At Shenzhen Baoan Fenda Industrial Co. sixty percent of the stereos coming off the line are for one customer: Wal-Mart Stores Inc. Most of the 2,100 workers are poor migrants from the countryside who have come to this industrial hub in southern China for jobs that pay about $120 a month. A sign on the wall says "If you don't work hard today, tomorrow you'll have to try hard to look for a job."

The factory profit is slim. Wal-Mart pressures the factory to cut its price, and the factory responds with longer hours or lower workers' pay.

Discuss.