I realize my inability to see sweatshops as a good, necessary evil may be left over from college, but sometimes good things happen in college protests:
A major supplier of college apparel has brokered a unique deal, promising to pay more for garments produced by a factory in the Dominican Republic if workers there are paid a living wage. While not publicly announced by the company, the plan proposed by Knights Apparel is already drawing support in higher education. Officials at Duke and Pennsylvania State Universities have confirmed that their bookstores will be buying from the Knights Apparel factory, and a committee at the University of Connecticut is considering participation as well.
For more on what a “verified” living wage means, read No Sweat.
January 28th, 2009 at 9:00 am
I do see them as a necessary evil, but I’m glad to see at least that one becoming a necessary somewhat-less-evil.
CC
January 28th, 2009 at 10:30 am
There was an article (editorial? op-ed) in the NYT that agreed with you recently, and was by someone I respected, but unfortunately I can’t find it. Did you happen to read it (based on my entirely vague description)?
January 28th, 2009 at 10:57 am
Perhaps less evil as opposed to entirely without evil is the best we can hope for sometimes.