The Long and Disturbing Story of Corporations Outsourcing Catastrophe

In the relentless pursuit of profit, corporations have outsourced a growing number of their operations to third-world countries, where labor and environmental regulations are often lax or non-existent. This practice, known as outsourcing, has led to a litany of environmental disasters, worker exploitation, and human rights abuses.

Environmental Disasters

One of the most pernicious consequences of corporate outsourcing is the environmental damage it has wrought. The Bhopal disaster in India, which killed over 10,000 people in 1984, is a prime example. The disaster occurred at a pesticide plant owned by the American company Union Carbide. The plant was operated by a local subsidiary that had been allowed to cut corners on safety measures. The result was a massive gas leak that killed thousands of people and injured hundreds of thousands more.

Out of Sight: The Long and Disturbing Story of Corporations Outsourcing Catastrophe

by Erik Loomis

4.8 out of 5

Language	:	English
File size	:	595 KB
Text-to-Speech	:	Enabled
Screen Reader	:	Supported
Enhanced typesetting	:	Enabled
Word Wise	:	Enabled
Print length	:	256 pages
Lending	:	Enabled

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The Bhopal disaster is not an isolated incident. Countless other environmental disasters have been linked to corporate outsourcing. In 2005, a chemical leak at a plant owned by the American company DuPont in China killed 21 people and injured hundreds more. In 2010, a fire at a chemical plant owned by the Taiwanese company Formosa Plastics in China killed six people and injured dozens more. These are just a few examples of the many environmental disasters that have been caused by corporate outsourcing.

Worker Exploitation

Corporate outsourcing has also led to widespread worker exploitation. In many third-world countries, workers are forced to work in dangerous and unhealthy conditions for meager wages. They are often denied basic rights such as health care, paid time off, and the right to form unions.

In Bangladesh, for example, the garment industry is one of the country's largest employers. However, workers in the industry are often paid less than $1 a day and forced to work in unsafe conditions. In 2013, a building collapse at a garment factory in Dhaka killed over 1,100 people. The collapse was a result of the factory's owner cutting corners on safety measures in order to save money.

The worker exploitation that is rampant in the outsourced manufacturing sector is not limited to Bangladesh. Similar conditions can be found in other countries around the world. In China, workers in the electronics industry are often forced to work long hours in dangerous conditions for low wages. In Mexico, workers in the maquiladora industry are often denied basic rights such as health care and paid time off.

Human Rights Abuses

Corporate outsourcing has also been linked to human rights abuses. In some cases, corporations have been accused of using slave labor in their outsourced operations. In other cases, corporations have been accused of using child labor.

In 2014, a report by the International Labor Organization found that over 10 million children around the world are engaged in forced labor. Many of these children are working in outsourced manufacturing operations.

In 2015, a report by the Human Rights Watch found that workers in the electronics industry in China are often subjected to forced labor, wage theft, and other human rights abuses.

The human rights abuses that are associated with corporate outsourcing are a serious and growing problem. Corporations must be held accountable for their actions and for the damage they have done.

The outsourcing of corporate operations to third-world countries has had a devastating impact on the environment, workers, and human rights. Corporations must be held accountable for their actions and for the damage they have done.

There are a number of things that can be done to address the problem of corporate outsourcing. One is to strengthen environmental and labor regulations in third-world countries. Another is to encourage corporations to adopt more sustainable and ethical practices. Consumers can also play a role by boycotting products that are made in countries with poor environmental and labor records.

The outsourcing of corporate operations is a complex issue, but it is one that we must address if we want to create a more just and sustainable world.

Out of Sight: The Long and Disturbing Story of Corporations Outsourcing Catastrophe

by Erik Loomis

4.8 out of 5

Language	:	English
File size	:	595 KB
Text-to-Speech	:	Enabled
Screen Reader	:	Supported
Enhanced typesetting	:	Enabled
Word Wise	:	Enabled
Print length	:	256 pages
Lending	:	Enabled

FREE