Helena Li

IR3/10 GT
5.30.19

Part 1:

Sweatshops are given the image of harsh labor conditions, cruel treatment towards
workers, and paying unfair wages. Sweatshop labor defies the mandate of fair labor laws.
Workers in the sweatshop economy often live in poverty, and can only access or possess limited
resources. Although sweatshops are not ideal, the resources that this type of labor can provide for
its workers is exceptionally better than other careers in their economy, or receiving no income at
all. Through the collection of meta analysis, the researcher proves that with the implementation
of sweatshops in rural countries, poverty rates are decreasing and the workers’ living standards
are increasing.
 Helena Li
IR3/10 GT
5.30.19

Part 2:

Beyonce’s apparel line, Ivy Park, faced backlash due to the reveal of her sweatshop in Sri
Lanka. It is reported that the female seamstresses were merely earning $6 a day, thus causing
consumers to boycott her brand. However, according to World Bank, less than 50% of the
population in more than ten countries live on less than one dollar a day. Furthermore, less than
95% of the population in more than ten countries live on less than two dollars a day. As it’s
estimated that at least half of the population live on approximately $4 a day, Sri Lanka’s
economy is far better compared to the countries identified in the chart. Beyonce paying her
employees $6 a day is also much better compared to the treatment of other companies.
 Helena Li
IR3/10 GT
5.30.19

As evidenced, in ten of the most heavily based sweatshop countries, the majority of
workers’ wage exceed their country’s average national income. Depending on how many hours
workers are willing to work, their income fluctuates. For example, workers willing to work 70
hours a week in Dominican Republic exceed their country’s national average income by 300%,
while workers in Nicaragua willing to work 70 hours a week exceed their country’s national
average income by almost 800%. Even in Bangladesh, where approximately 83% of its
population live on less than $2 a day, workers living at least 40 hours a week are close to
meeting their country’s average national income, if not exceeding. This shows that the income
sweatshops provide is a better option compared to other careers in the workers’ economy.
 Helena Li
IR3/10 GT
5.30.19

Professor Mobarak and Professor Heath report that in the 1970s period of Bangladesh, a
little over 2 percent of males are enrolled in school and under 4 percent of females are enrolled in
school. However, since the beginning of the development of sweatshops in Bangladesh, the rate
of school enrollment has gradually increased for both males and females. In the villages that are
closer to sweatshops, it is reported that there’s a 38.6% increase of girls between the ages of
12-18 to attend school (Adams Institute). As individuals receive more knowledge, they can use
that knowledge and transition it into a skill, allowing them further career opportunities.
Especially with the development of the automation industry, workers are losing sweatshop
employment sources, needing the skills to fulfill other careers.
 Helena Li
IR3/10 GT
5.30.19

Evidenced in the Bangladesh poverty rate percentages, the economy’s highest poverty
rate was 61.2% in the rural areas between 1991 and 1992. Between that time period,
Bangladesh’s national economy suffered with a 58.8% of poverty and its urban economy
suffered with a 44.9% of poverty. Since 1991 and 1992, Bangladesh’s poverty rate has decreased
gradually. Last reported in 2010, the poverty rate of the rural area was 35.2%, rate of poverty in
the national area was 31.5%, and poverty rate of the urban area was 21.3%. Between these three
areas, there was at least a poverty decrease of 25% overall between the twenty-year time period.
The enforcement of sweatshops has helped decrease the rate of poverty over the years, providing
workers with careers and basic income.
 Helena Li
IR3/10 GT
5.30.19

Part 3:

Beyonce’s apparel line, Ivy Park, faced backlash due to the reveal of her sweatshop in Sri
Lanka. It is reported that the female seamstresses were merely earning $6 a day, thus causing
consumers to boycott her brand. However, according to World Bank, less than 50% of the
population in more than ten countries live on less than one dollar a day. Furthermore, less than
95% of the population in more than ten countries live on less than two dollars a day. As it’s
estimated that at least half of the population live on approximately $4 a day, Sri Lanka’s
economy is far better compared to the countries identified in the chart. Beyonce paying her
employees $6 a day is also much better compared to the treatment of other companies.

As evidenced, in ten of the most heavily based sweatshop countries, the majority of
workers’ wage exceed their country’s average national income. Depending on how many hours
workers are willing to work, their income fluctuates. For example, workers willing to work 70
hours a week in Dominican Republic exceed their country’s national average income by 300%,
while workers in Nicaragua willing to work 70 hours a week exceed their country’s national
average income by almost 800%. Even in Bangladesh, where approximately 83% of its
population live on less than $2 a day, workers living at least 40 hours a week are close to
meeting their country’s average national income, if not exceeding. This shows that the income
sweatshops provide is a better option compared to other careers in the workers’ economy.
Professor Mobarak and Professor Heath report that in the 1970s period of Bangladesh, a
little over 2 percent of males are enrolled in school and under 4 percent of females are enrolled
in school. However, since the beginning of the development of sweatshops in Bangladesh, the
rate of school enrollment has gradually increased for both males and females. In the villages that
are closer to sweatshops, it is reported that there’s a 38.6% increase of girls between the ages of
12-18 to attend school (Adams Institute). As individuals receive more knowledge, they can use
that knowledge and transition it into a skill, allowing them further career opportunities.
 Helena Li
IR3/10 GT
5.30.19

Especially with the development of the automation industry, workers are losing sweatshop
employment sources, needing the skills to fulfill other careers.
Evidenced in the Bangladesh poverty rate percentages, the economy’s highest poverty
rate was 61.2% in the rural areas between 1991 and 1992. Between that time period,
Bangladesh’s national economy suffered with a 58.8% of poverty and its urban economy
suffered with a 44.9% of poverty. Since 1991 and 1992, Bangladesh’s poverty rate has decreased
gradually. Last reported in 2010, the poverty rate of the rural area was 35.2%, rate of poverty in
the national area was 31.5%, and poverty rate of the urban area was 21.3%. Between these three
areas, there was at least a poverty decrease of 25% overall between the twenty-year time period.
The enforcement of sweatshops has helped decrease the rate of poverty over the years, providing
workers with careers and basic income.
 Helena Li
IR3/10 GT
5.30.19

Part 3 _____/50
Data analysis-For a survey
● Using Excel visualize the data collected.
● Acknowledge the pluses and drawbacks of the overall data collection.
● Discuss the specific findings in at least 10 questions.
● Conclude with your overall findings