The Happy Face Makes Me Frown

Disclaimer: I have a strong aesthetic bias against Walmart. Every one of their stores that I have visited has smelled faintly of garbage to my nose. Also, the happy face is vaguely creepy.

Nathan has posted an interesting link to some guy defending Walmart. The basic argument goes along the lines that working in sweatshops may not be pleasant, but compared to subsistence farming it ain't bad. Additionally, the author suggests that Walmart has put more money back into the pockets of poor people.

Now, I know that the bottom rung of capitalism is not a fun place to be. I wouldn't want to be there, but I know that it potentially represents a step up for some. The author says:

Labor conditions in the developing world may be offensive to the refined sensibilities of some western observers, but "bad jobs at bad wages" are preferable to the relevant alternatives.

This is what bothers me though. No one really explain what "bad" is or, moreover why it has to be as bad as it is. Based on my own reading, labour in the developing world may endure such conditions as 48-hour shifts (fuelled by amphetamines), forced abortions for those workers with the temerity to get pregnant, zero job security, and working conditions similiar to those that caused the Triangle Shirtwaist fire to be such a disaster.

I cannot say how many factories engage in all - or even some - of these practices. Look, I know that reality dictates that making garments in the developing is never, ever going to be somebody's dream job. I just do not see why the conditions have to be as bad as they are. If conditions have improved, it is only because Walmart's critics have shamed them into it.

One of things that characterizes Walmart is its extraordinary aggressiveness with suppliers, they ar cut-throat in getting the best price. For the same supplier, there is great incentive to get the Walmart contract for the sheer volume of the deal, even if the profit margin is razor thin, it'll still be a windfall. In turn, I have no doubts that the supplier will have little concern over the working conditions of employees. It is the foreseeable consequences of Walmart's practices that people will have to work long hours in death traps.

I've written a fair amount, I have not even touched on the domestic problems of Walmart. Maybe more on that tomorrow...
Image: Northland Poster Collective
Tags: Walmart.