ethics and mass produced footbags

[Guest_1]

Here in America we have 15 year olds stitching footbags. Ethical wages? Sometimes it's decent, other times below minimum wage.

Is it more ethical to have below minimum wages paid to hacky sacking stitchers than below minimum wage overseas non hacky sacking stitchers?

[Wasabi]

Sweat shop workers barely even make a living with their amount of pay. I believe their amount of pay overseas is equivalent to that of a dime or lower in terms of the American exchange rate.

It sucks.

[PegLegHolly]

stitching footbags isnt "work". and if you want to argue that and say something about how people make livings off of stitching footbags, then ask them if they pay taxes for what they earn.

[Guest_1]

I'm asking if it's ethically acceptable to purchase footbags overseas from 'Pakistan' like industries when some players here stitch for the same kind of pay

[brinard]

who cares?

you should pay whoever you want for the footbags they make. you get what you pay for obviously.


i dont particularly like money based stitching topics.

this hobby, which makes profit should not be compared to a job. it will not be fair if you do. no matter where youre from, stitching isnt a career.

why would any (modifed) footbagger even want to purchase a pakistan bag?

[Wasabi]

It's still a mass marketed product, and it still utilizes capitalism to the extent of third world countries in accordance to the transnational economy. I know it's a touchy subject, but it has its relevance. Sweat shop labor is bad.

And within the U.S., stitching may not be considered work, but in labor factories such as maquiladoras in Mexico and places in Pakistan and the Philippines, its a common aspect toward the many variety of commodity chains.

PS: Sorry if I sound like a jerk. I have a midterm in an hour that specifically talks about this!

[Jeremy]

While I agree that sweat shop labour is bad, I'm not convinced that boycotting it is a viable solution at all. Ending sweat shop labour won't create higher paid jobs in third world nations, it will mean that it's no longer viable to make products in Pakistan to ship to the world; if wages were equal then it would be much more economical viable to make things where the shipping costs are the lowest. I think government and economic policy can be much more effective in tackling these issues than consumer boycotts.

[Stoneman]

but it has its relevance.

the hobby of stitching, and third world labor are not at all connected.. , i dont understand what you mean


I agree completely with what jeremy said

[Stoneman]

Here in America we have 15 year olds stitching footbags. Ethical wages? Sometimes it's decent, other times below minimum wage.

Is it more ethical to have below minimum wages paid to hacky sacking stitchers than below minimum wage overseas non hacky sacking stitchers?

once again..
its not a job, especialy if your 15

[Burrin]

Richard Abshire makes money from stitching and footbag things. Talk to him lawl

[Wasabi]

This topic is just an extension on Senor Grommet's topic about footbag prices. Of course stitching/sewing can be considered a hobby, but in other countries this is can be considered an occupation.

The relevance (in accordance to Jeremy's topic) is considering whether stitching footbags in the US can be elevated to something like a full-time/part-time job, rather than something arts-&-craftsy like most of us think of it as.

Btw, I completely agree on what you mean, Jeremy. Boycotting something that is a strong necessity throughout the world (even within parts of the US; even if some of us choose not to believe it) can't be easily done. It's so ingrained into the social economics of the world that it's a difficult topic to balance and adjust properly.