It isn't even a choice. It is really more like slavery. It would seem that workers could leave the oppressive conditions, but they are financially tied to the system. Fear of being blackballed silences many, and they are at the mercy of American contractors and foreign middlemen. While the conditions of foreign sweatshops are discouraging, American retailers and consumers do have options.
Retailers can control foreign operating conditions.
Such pressure has its limits, since competition in the global apparel industry is fierce, and clothing prices have been declining for years, but it's the right-and profitable thing to do. Clearly, corporations can be profitable and conscientious at the same time. As for us, last Wednesday's New York Times reported that apparel industry giants led by Nike and Reebok have signed a code of conduct agreement. A task force is anticipating labels that will indicate that the garment was not produced in a sweatshop factory. This is a way consumers can bring ethical accountability to clothing manufacturers.