Do you think that transnational companies like Nike should abide by North American human rights standards?

Question

People in third world countries are being exploited, but the thing is, do we have a right to interfere? Technically, it's not under our jursidiction, but we have a moral duty to ensure everybody gets their basic human rights, don't we?

Answer 1

I believe for corporations or citizens to invoke Constitutional rights, there should be a legal obligation to respect the same of others affected by policies or actions. Thus corporations would be held to the same Constitutional standards as government, since similar collective authority is being exercised that must be checked against the right of individuals. This common standard of "Constitutional Ethics" may be enforced by legislation or by public education and social pressure of market forces by informed consumers. Otherwise, there is a clear power imbalance if corporations freely exercise the same right as individuals, and the same collective influence as government, but no responsibility for checks and balance by due process of law to protect the interest of others to the same extent. Such injustice violates the very nature of government and law based on "consent of the government" as the spirit of any binding social contract.

Answer 2

Yes Nike should abide by basic human rights laws. We cannot, however, go around trying to enforce our laws on other countries. Either they come to those conclusions themselves or we must let them be. One thing we as consumers can do is purchase things made in the USA, where those rights are secured. One thing our government could do is bring back tariffs on countries not willing to enforce labor and environmental laws. That would not only create a more humane workplace but also level the playing field and create a fairer global job market.

Answer 3

If the products made by these exploited people are being sold in the U.S., I think we have a perfect right not to allow them in this country. In fact, this is why things are so difficult in the U.S. for the poor and middle class. Decent jobs here have been exported to countries with low wage labor that do not have the same employee and environmental protections that we have here. This creates more competition for jobs in the U.S. and drives down wages and benefits.

Answer 4

The answer is "yes" Nike should be enforcing North American human rights standards to their Asian and Latin production factories. Would the owners of Nike (the stockholders) consider Nike's actions to be ethical if they used child labor or forced labor? If so, would those same stockholders be willing to publically support Nike's actions? If they would be ashamed of Nike's actions, then its unethical and should not be supported no matter where it occurs.

Answer 5

They should abide by their home office policy and their country of origin.
If they operate sweat shops, very cheap labor, it is up to that locations government to intervene. If anyone knows this, it is their personal choice to boy cot or buy.