My Huge Disappointment

I was very disappointed when I was researching about Walt Disney's sweat shops. The Responsible Shopper website gave me a lot of information on the topic and I was just amazed at what I was reading. For example, some quotes include:

“The Center for Health, Environment and Justice (CHEJ) found that Walt Disney World uses more than 80 extremely toxic cleaners, as opposed to just 12 that are non-toxic and which are used in the animal park out of safety concerns for the animals. The toxic cleaners, according to CHEJ are used children visiting the park "bathe, eat and play." CHEJ and community groups in Florida are urging Disney to use safer cleaning products for the sake of the children. (Center for Health, Environment and Justice, 17 September 2007)”

“Workers that produce Disney toys, books, and clothes are typically forced to work long hours under harsh conditions, with compensation that is below poverty level. (Responsible Shopper, 17 September 2007)”

Hong Kong-based Students and Scholars against Corporate Misbehavior (SACOM) found three factories that manufacture Disney products routinely violated Chinese labor standards. (China Labor Watch, 27 July 2006)”

"It does not have to be like this. But what happens when workers dare to stand up to ask that their basic rights be respected? When young women in Bangladesh, being paid just five cents for every $ 17.99 Disney shirt they sewed, asked for one day a week off, the Walt Disney Company responded by pulling its work from the factory. These women needed these jobs, but they also wanted to be treated as human beings. The message Disney is delivering to workers across the developing world is that if you dare to raise your voice, you too will be fired and thrown out on the street with nothing. (Global Issues, Local Arguments, 49) ”


If the workers at the factories are happy, everyone will be happy. By satisfying their needs, they will work more efficiently. As a result, profits will soar, which will be more productive. They should realize and look after what is more beneficial to them. Aside form what is right and wrong, are they making a wise decision? The answer to that is "No" because they are not. They are not thinking outside the box. Sweatshop workers had to suffer the cruel working conditions and risk their life to make a living. It is sad to imagine exactly how they are treated in the outside world.