Not So Jolly Workshop, Santa
Globalization is a prominent feature of human society and has been for decades. The effects globalization has on the world is evident in any area one may look, whether in a Dollar Store or a high end fashion store. Although it is has proven to allow developing countries job opportunities, the negative effects of globalization dominates the scale. The issue that arises from globalization is that it works in the favour of managers, owners, and investors whereas the workers remain poor. In order to mass produce a simple fabric of cloth that will be discarded only months later on the other side of the world, factories must hire hundreds of workers who are willing to work for cheap for the chance at a job. These workers are exposed to harsh working conditions, extreme exhaustion from long hours, and after a long day’s work of labour they are rewarded with next to nothing. In the documentary Santa’s Workshop, these effects are shown as film makers go into China’s toy factories. The interviews revealed that workers are required to work long hours in dangerous situations, with very low wages in return. The labour laws in China would be absurd to a Canadian society, however these low-wage factory jobs are very common in China. Due to this, more companies are attracted to the idea of manufacturing their product for less, and then sell for more. With over 90% of products being made in these situations, globalization is only growing even as the problem continues to increase. With such dangerous working conditions, many accidents occur in the factories of China which results in injuries and perhaps even death. As Canadians, who are fortunate in our society with rights and fair wage, must become more aware of this issue at hand and develop a mindset that we can do something about it. Small acts can go a long way —like buying local or secondhand clothing instead of spending more money for a label, or buying fair trade products—if everyone pitches in.