Peter Rosenblum , Associate Director, Human Rights Program, Harvard Law School. Peter Rosenblum, Michael Posner, Mark Groombridge, Dara O'Rourke, and Dwight Perkins address issues of socially responsible growth. Michael Posner began the discussion by laying out the direction of the debate with regard to multi-national corporations, not only in their own factories, but also in those of their suppliers and contractors. While there are universal standards of labor in a formal sense, implementing those standards in practice, particularly the freedom of association, is a challenge. Actions of local governments have been disappointing and local laws are weak.
Multilateral organizations have limited influence.
Ultimately, the responsibility must lie with the manufacturers themselves. Because of increasing consumer attention, information available on the internet, and powerful media exposes, there is now greater incentive for companies to enforce labor codes. Mark Groombridge was skeptical about government policies aimed at improving work standards because, in his view, governments are influenced by interest-group politics. He observed that countries with open market policies enjoy better standards of living. However, some government policies could be effective as well.