Globalization Affect Human Rights free essay sample

Therefore, whereas most believe that globalisation will help improve both the economy and living standards, the others are aware of its negative effects on human rights which have become a controversial issue targeted by the media. Although globalisation plays a significant role in economic growth, its effects can cause a variety of serious concerns about individual rights. It will be argued in this essay that not only because of its drawbacks including poor working conditions and low wages, but also because of child labour issues, the ethical issues related to globalization should be considered. This essay will first indicate benefits of globalization in reducing poverty, improving the quality of life and workplace standards. Secondly, the arguments against globalization due to serious effects on individual rights will be demonstrated. Finally, it will discuss some solutions and evaluate the feasibility of the implementation of these solutions. Definitions Globalization is defined in many different ways. However, all of them imply that globalization is a process which has been bringing the world closer through the exchange of technology, economy, polity and culture across national frontiers that lead to greater interdependence between countries with free transfer of goods, services, capital, labor and knowledge (Awuah Amal, 2011). In other words, globalization may be described as an elimination of barriers of time and distance to increase the connectivity among countries of the world (Healey, 2008). Child labour can be defined as any kind of harmful work that a young child has to do with low pay levels due to psychological, social, and materialistic pressure upon them including responsibility for their family’s survival and themselves (Ahmad, et al. , 2011). This concentrates mainly in the developing countries where there are numerous low-income families with parents who without educational qualifications or disability may not earn enough money to feed themselves and their children. As a result of this, these children have to go to work to sustain life. Ethics can be defined as a system of moral principles that affects people’s decisions as to what is good for individuals and society, and concerned with responsibility and human rights (Healey, 1995). A morally right action can produce a good outcome and contrasts with a wrong action which may lead to a serious consequence. Thereby, in order to evaluate the rightness and wrongness of actions, it is possibly based on moral theories. The benefits of globalization on economy and society It is claimed that globalization has positive influences on the economy and society. Firstly, it can lead to improvement in the standard of living and diminishing poverty rates, compared with globalization when international trade had not taken place, exchange trading between countries was limited due to tariff barriers leading to hampering the transfer of commodities across borders. Therefore, it was possible only to be consumed domestic goods instead of diverse imported goods. However, as a result of globalization, advancement of global economy and expansion foreign direct investment lead to local economic development with the diversification of commodities and the improvement in efficiency and productivity (Healey A, 2008). McNichol, (cited in Healey A, 2008) states that the economic gains of globalization led to the acceleration of the standard of living and the decline in poverty. According to the World Bank, from 1993 to 1998, poverty rate has reduced by 14 percent in developing countries, similar to about 107 million people. This may result from receiving foreign investment that plays an important role in local economy growth. For example, the proportion of population living in poverty in India decreased by half in the two decades, from the 1970s to 1990s, while the number of Chinese in poverty declined by approximately 210 million during twenty-one years, from 1978 to 1999 (Healey 2008). In other words, the standard of living is improving due to the benefits of international economic activities. Moreover, the quality of life of citizens in these countries is possibly improved with developing health care services and clean water, leading to increasing the average life expectancy. It is possible to anticipate that the number of citizens living for at least sixty years will account for about 85 percent of the world’s population (Healey, 2008). This is due to the effects of globalization on medicine that have led to an increase of international medical exchange. As a result, solutions for disease treatment and surgery had been increasing remarkably that may save many people from death. Thus, life expectancy is lengthened. In other words, globalization may provide better living conditions and double the average life expectancy of 100 years ago (Healey, 2008). Furthermore, increasing global income and reducing investment barriers that globalization brings attract foreign direct investment. As a result of this, many factories have been opened up in developing countries with the average wage levels higher compare with those in local companies. In addition, these have adequate conditions for local employees developing their individual capacity including modern equipment, well-paying, high security and equal competition (Healey, 2008). Nike is an example of foreign direct investment. With developing distribution networks for high-quality shoes worldwide, Nike has opened up many factories in developing countries, especially South-East Asia. This has provided job opportunities for local people, leading to a decrease of unemployment rates and an advancement of local economies (Richard Alvin, 2001). Dangers of globalization to human rights Despite the many benefits of globalization, its negative impacts should not be forgotten because of its serious threats on human rights. With the xpansion of trade, market, foreign investment, in order to attract investors and competing with other countries, governments not only offer the most accordant and cheapest labor, but also reduce taxes. In addition, governments primarily concentrate on developing infrastructure while standards of the environment, health and safety have been ignored. Moreover, in order to advance infrastructure, a budget deficit may occur when government exp enditure is greater than tax collections. Therefore, governments must borrow money to fund their deficit spending. As a result, local community has to be responsibility for most costs including production, advancing society and protecting environment. Chunakara (2000) claims that liberalization may lead to an increase in inequality and directly affect the poor in escaping from poverty. It is possible that they will forever live in poverty and inequality, unless governments have relevant policies due to the fact that they have to work in hazardous conditions with low income. In other words, poor may have to face violation of human rights including low-wages, poor working conditions and child labor. With the liberalization of global trade, developing countries have found foreign investment for development though cheap labor (Chunakara, 2000). Many factories have been opened up in rural areas or suburbs of cities and attracted a lot of local workers. However, these employees had been not paid even the minimum daily wage. For example, in the early 1990s, in Indonesia, some shoes factories of Nike only paid workers an extreme low-wage level, approximately US$1, only covered 70% of the necessary need that one person must pay (Richard et al. , 2003). This level was not adequate to worker’s life, thus, it led to a wave of criticism against Nike and its managers owing to the violation of human rights. In other words, to a certain extent, globalization may lead to inequality for workers because their rights are ignored. Another problem caused by globalization is poor working conditions. In order to maximize profit, factories neglect safety standards that have serious influences on worker health. Despite working in polluted environments, they lack of equipment needed for protection. For example, in 1997, the rate of toxic chemicals exceeded allowed levels from 6 to 177 times in sections of Nike’s factory in Vietnam. This chemical may cause serious effects to nervous system, skin and eyes (Richard et al. , 2003). If workers injured grievously, they could have consequences for many generations. This was a dangerous issue concerning with ethics, leading to an increase in criticism against Nike. This is a clear example of globalization having substantially contributed to violence of human rights. Problems of globalization should be considered and found solutions for them, but, the most serious issue of child labor must be eliminated immediately. This is due to the fact that children are the future of the world, their development have impacts on many generations. Therefore, this issue has created a wave of controversy throughout the world. Siddiqi and Patrinos (1995) point out that Asia and Africa have the highest rates of working children, accounting for approximately 90 percent of total child workers, led by India with 44 million child workers. It is clear that children mainly concentrate in rural regions where majority families are living in poverty. They have to work full time in hazardous conditions and low income instead of going to school. Therefore, it is necessary to find underlying causes of this issue. Firstly, developing countries only concentrate on advancing infrastructure in steady of school, leading to the low qualification of the education. Therefore, the parents believe that it is a waste of time for their children going to school while they may obtain experience in working and contribute to family income. Weiner (in Siddigi 1995) state that the proportion of illiterate Indians over 15 years old accounted for approximately 59 percent. This is a worth alarming rate (Siddiqi el al, 1995). Furthermore, in order to attract foreign investment, government may ignore a variety of illegal sectors. In other words, there is a lack of enforcement of policies among own nations. For example, in Costa Rica, the lowest limited age for working is lower than that for education, leading to a result that children can go to work before finished educational program (Siddiqi el al, 1995). Therefore, it is necessary to have a modification of policies for controlling child labor. In conclusion, children work for some reasons, but, its underline cause is effects of globalization on developing countries. Solutions for problems of globalization Human rights are inherent to human being. Therefore, protection from violence, exploitation and abuse is essential. Governments need to have relevant policies to both develop economy and ensure rights for citizens. At the same time, it is necessary to find methods which may control these policies following the principles in order to limit human rights violence. In addition, each problem must have independent solutions. For example, for low wage issue, governments should have the laws of minimum wages because it is unlikely to rely on low wages to advance economy. If wage levels were enhanced, workers would have an increase in the quality of life. In other words, they increase the capability to pay fees, taxes and loans while still ensure education and health care for their children. In 1999, in Indonesia, under pressure from public, government enhanced minimum wages to US$26. As a result, this led to a rise in wages for employees in some companies. For instance, about US$33 is average wages for labors working in Nike (Rechard et al, 2003). This is not only being the optimal solution for eliminating poverty, but also motivating labors at work. Another problem is poor working conditions which must be close control of standards to protect rights of workers. All of factories need to sign pledges of safety and health conditions. For example, Nike has obligated its suppliers signing a Code of Conduct. This means that they have to secure toxic chemical concentrations in acceptable standards and provide the protective equipment for labors. This is essential conditions and workers have rights to get it. Child labor is a serious issue which is difficult to solve by few solutions because there are many reasons which cause this problem. Therefore, in order to eliminate it, governments have to combine many different ways. Firstly, there have the reasonable laws of the minimum age for working and that for school to keep children in school (Gary, 1997). Moreover, governments need to invest in quality education to encourage parents take their children into education. Gary (1997) states that the method, which annual pay for poor parents if they remain their children in school until 14 years old is being under the debate in some nations in Latin America. This may lead to a decrease of child labor, but, it is only temporary solution. For some children having ill parents, they are compulsory to work to survive, so, having special policies for this situation is under the necessity of doing of government. Factories should have training course for child worker to increase skills and knowledge. These are useful for their own job both in present and in future (Rechard, 2003). Conclusion Taken together, this invites the conclusion that globalization has both its winners and losers. With the expansion of trade, market, foreign investment, developing countries may see the gaps among themselves widen.