Violation of workers’ rights by corporations is common everywhere in the world. In the article, “Corporations and Workers’ rights”, Anup (2006) argues that the living standards all over the world are reducing because workers are getting low pay for their labor. International Monetary Fund and World Bank introduced the Structural Adjustment Programs in a bid to reduce cost of production for companies. The programs led to massive job loss especially in developing countries (Claude & Weston, 2006).
Corporations have steadily become very powerful. They are thus able to lobby for favorable policies and legislations. They can threaten governments and arm-twist it to get favorable policies. Even in places where there are progressive rules, governments are unable and willing to enforce them for fear of backlash from powerful corporations.
Anup (2006) gives several examples of multinationals that oppress workers and get away with it. Such multinationals take advantage of lax legislations in developing countries to oppress workers and make great profits. Coca-Cola Company for instance faces allegations of mistreating workers and harassing labor union leadership. Nike and Addidas subject their workers to harsh working conditions especially in South East Asia and South America. America, in spite of progressive laws, workers’ oppression is rampant. There are cases of labor union intimidation and even assassination of union leaders.
Curbing workers’ oppression is challenging for various reasons. Multinationals shift their operations to countries where labor laws are not strict. A good example is Phillips-Van-Huesen. The company shifted its base from Guatemala after the government enacted strict labor laws. The second challenge comes from powerful multinationals that are opposed to progressive labor laws. A case in point is Germany where multinationals opposed the finance minister corporate taxation plans. Fair pay plans have faced resistance from governments that view it as a protectionist move.
References
Anup, Shah. (2006). Corporations and Worker’s Rights: Global Issues. Web.
Claude, R. P., & Weston, B. H. (2006). Human rights in the world community: Issues and action. Philadelphia: University of Pennsylvania Press.