Somewhere along the line, a balance has to be struck between seeking the most desirable working conditions and people's need to earn the best living they can. That applies as much to allegations of child labour as to the new report by the British charity, Oxfam: it says top sportswear manufacturers use factories in Indonesia and elsewhere in Asia that exploit workers.
The answer to such charges - which are by no means new - lies in an international mechanism that takes into account the realities in developing countries. Meanwhile, the report's timing, just weeks before soccer's World Cup begins, is calculated to have maximum impact against Asian suppliers of multibillion-dollar brands such as Adidas, Nike, Fila and Puma. Oxfam says the increased demand for replica shirts, shoes and other widely sought-after souvenirs has compounded the 'outrageous behaviour' of some suppliers.
They are said to force their mainly female employees to work long hours for low wages. Union rights are not recognised, and anyone who demands a higher wage is threatened with dismissal. Apparently, companies that claimed - under international pressure - to have improved working conditions have not done so. Worse, some major brands are accused of turning away from suppliers that made reforms and thus had to raise prices.
The report's British release coincides with an outburst of controversies pitting human rights against pragmatism. Amnesty International says that the new Terrorism Act - which increases the maximum time police can detain terror suspects without charge from 14 to 28 days - will cause 'serious human rights violations'.
An even more pointed conflict between human rights and common sense concerns a convicted criminal who was released early from prison in Britain, and promptly murdered a woman.
As the chief inspector of probation reported, the authorities considered the man's human rights before their duties to the public.
No one will cite these cases to justify carte blanche dismissal of all human rights. But, obviously, they have to be tempered with a realistic assessment of attendant circumstances.
