Sweatshops

 Sweatshops are often associated with low wages, poor working conditions, and the exploitation of vulnerable workers, particularly in developing countries. Their growth is closely linked to the expansion of globalisation in the late 20th century, when multinational companies began outsourcing production to countries where labour costs were significantly lower. This allowed brands to maximise profits while offering consumers cheap products.

Major global companies such as Nike, Adidas, and H&M have all faced accusations of using factories with sweatshop-like conditions. These factories are often not directly owned by the brands but are part of complex supply chains, making accountability more difficult to establish.

Workers in sweatshops typically endure long hours, unsafe environments, and extremely low pay. In some cases, employees are exposed to hazardous chemicals, denied basic rights such as breaks, or forced to work excessive overtime. Despite this, many workers depend on these jobs as their only source of income, creating a complicated ethical dilemma.

Public backlash against sweatshops intensified in the 1990s and early 2000s, particularly after reports revealed poor labour conditions in factories producing goods for major brands. Activists organised boycotts, protests, and awareness campaigns to pressure companies into improving labour standards. Media coverage and documentaries played a crucial role in exposing these issues to a global audience.

A significant turning point came when Nike faced widespread criticism over labour practices in Asian factories. The company was accused of ignoring worker abuse and failing to ensure safe conditions. Initially, Nike denied responsibility, arguing that the factories were independently operated. However, growing pressure forced the company to acknowledge the problem and introduce reforms, including factory inspections and codes of conduct.

Despite these efforts, critics argue that many improvements are superficial or inconsistently enforced. Some companies have been accused of “ethical washing,” promoting a responsible image while continuing questionable practices behind the scenes. Monitoring global supply chains remains a major challenge due to their complexity and lack of transparency.

Today, consumers are increasingly aware of ethical issues in fashion and manufacturing. Movements promoting sustainable and ethical consumption encourage people to question where their products come from and how they are made. Independent organisations and watchdog groups continue to investigate and report on labour conditions worldwide.

While progress has been made, sweatshops still exist, and the demand for cheap goods continues to drive their persistence. Addressing the issue requires stronger regulations, corporate accountability, and informed consumer choices.

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1. Vocabulary Match

Part 1
Outsourcing — A. Public protest against something
Backlash — B. Paying workers very little money
Exploitation — C. Sending work to another country
Accountability — D. Treating workers unfairly for profit
Hazardous — E. Responsibility for actions
Supply chain — F. Dangerous or risky
Overtime — G. Extra working hours
Low wages — H. Network of production and distribution
Boycott — I. Refusing to buy something as protest

Part 2
Allegation — J. Claim of wrongdoing
Transparency — K. Openness and honesty
Reform — L. Change for improvement
Superficial — M. Only on the surface
Enforcement — N. Making sure rules are followed
Ethical — O. Morally right
Criticism — P. Expression of disapproval
Inspection — Q. Official check or examination
Deny — R. Refuse to accept something is true

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2. Synonym Match

Exploitation — A. Abuse
Backlash — B. Reaction
Hazardous — C. Dangerous
Transparency — D. Openness
Reform — E. Improvement
Criticism — F. Disapproval
Ethical — G. Moral
Enforcement — H. Implementation
Inspection — I. Examination
Boycott — J. Protest

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3A. Choose one from this list of major global brands and share what you know about their labour practices:

Nike
Adidas
H&M
Zara
Apple
Shein

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3B. Pick from this list of issues and explain why it matters to you personally and globally.

Workers’ rights
Fair wages
Safe working conditions
Child labour
Ethical consumerism
Sustainable fashion
Corporate responsibility
Global inequality
Human rights
Something not on the list

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3C. Controversial Discussion Scenarios. Agree or Disagree?

“Cheap products are more important than ethical production.”
“Companies are not responsible for their suppliers.”
“Consumers are equally responsible for sweatshops.”
“Boycotts are the most effective way to create change.”
“Improving conditions is better than shutting factories down.”

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4. Design an Ethical Brand:

Define your mission
Name your company
Explain how you will ensure fair labour practices
Present and defend your organisation

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5. SCENARIOS

1. ⚖️ Ethical Dilemma
Scenario:
Your company discovers that one of its suppliers uses underpaid workers in unsafe conditions. Ending the contract would mean losing a major source of profit.

Student Task:
What do you do?
Do you cut ties or try to improve conditions?
What are the risks?

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2. 💰 Cost vs Ethics
Scenario:
Producing ethically will increase prices significantly, and customers may stop buying your products.

Student Task:
Do you prioritise ethics or profit?
How would you justify your decision?

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3. 📸 Marketing Strategy
Scenario:
Your company wants to advertise its ethical practices, but critics say it is just for publicity.

Student Task:
Is this ethical or “ethical washing”?
How can companies prove their claims?

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4. 🌍 Cultural Perspective
Scenario:
In some countries, low wages are still considered acceptable compared to local standards.

Student Task:
Should global companies apply universal standards?
How do you balance cultural differences?

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5. 🚨 Worker Protest
Scenario:
Workers in your supplier factory go on strike demanding better conditions.

Student Task:
Do you support them publicly?
How do you respond as a company?

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6. 🤝 Consumer Responsibility
Scenario:
Customers demand cheaper prices but also ethical production.

Student Task:
Is this realistic?
Who is responsible for change?

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7. 🧑‍🤝‍🧑 Internal Conflict
Scenario:
Your management team disagrees: one side prioritises profits, the other ethics.

Student Task:
How do you resolve this?
What values guide your decision?

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8. 📉 Reputation Crisis
Scenario:
A report exposes your company’s use of sweatshops, causing public outrage.

Student Task:
Do you admit fault?
How do you rebuild trust?

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9. Fill in the Blanks:

1. Many companies continue using sweatshops because they believe they will not be punished. This means they act with
   ________________________.
2. If workers are paid extremely little for long hours, they are receiving
   ________________________.
3. If a company hides information about its factories, it lacks
   ________________________.
4. When governments fail to control labour abuses, there is weak
   ________________________.
5. If people around the world are talking about sweatshops, the issue is
   ________________________.
6. If cheap labour is widely used in an industry, it is considered
   ________________________.
7. If a student works temporarily in a company to gain experience, they are doing an
   ________________________.
8. If a CEO leaves their position voluntarily, they
   ________________________.
9. If they leave due to a scandal, it is called
   ________________________.
10. If consumers no longer trust a brand, it has lost public
    ________________________.