Globalize Responsibly

Globalization is the act of bringing different countries cultures and societies closer together. In our world today globalization is a vital part of our lives.  It allows us to travel halfway across the globe when we please, or send a message instantly to someone thousands of miles away. Our countries economy relies on the fact we can make products in surplus for a fraction of the cost in another country. And other countries rely on the fact big corporations make factories and create jobs almost anyone can do. Since globalization is a big part of so many people’s lives, it is important that we allow it to keep striving and advancing. But besides that we also need to regulate companies actions to make sure everyone is being treated fairly and ethically.

In America we have certain regulations set so while in the work place you can be treated fairly and still maintain your rights as a citizen. An example of this is labor laws an dim minimum wage. For example in Massachusetts people under 16 can only work up to 20 hours a week during the school year and only on the weekends. As you age these regulations become less strict until you can work fulltime. Also minimum wage is an amount of money decided by the state government, which is the least amount of money you can earn working. The current minimum wage in Massachusetts is $8.50. There is also a standards in the conditions you work, so the envionment is as safe and hopefully clean.  But in poorer countries they may not have these regulations or they may not be followed as strictly.  Factories or sweat shops could be over populated and not maintained, employees maybe forced to work very long hours without breaks or maybe they just earn pennies a day. These are the sort of things we need to stop. 

The Craux Roundtable is a organization of business executives whose main goal is to promote ethical treatment in all work places.  They have come up with a list of guidelines and principles called “ The principles for Responsible Globalization.” The principles talk about the importance of avoiding illicit activities, respecting the rules, protecting the envionment and making sure any government officials are only working for the people opposed for them selves. Obviously it is not as easy as just making people follow all the guidelines they have set. But on the other hand, they provide and excellent frame work for how a business should run itself. If more business’s could act this way, globalization can benefit all I involved.