The Sweat Shop Plague

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Shining a Light on Shein's Unethical Labor Practices


sweat shops exist all over the world
they are crowded factories
with poor working conditions
big name brands wanting to cut cost
contract these sweat shops
to make fast trend fashions
jeans, shoes, bags, and so much more

they exist in every country in this world
we hear a lot about factories 
in places like China, Indonesian
Korea, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka etc, etc
they even exist in USA 
the land of the free Canada
and I imagine the wages in  "civilized"
countries are a bit better but still not very good

the workers receive insufficient wages
that do not even meet basic needs
in many cases there is child labour
there are no benefits
with long hours with no extra payment

you have seen the images
workers bent over sewing machines
in huge factories their children at their feet
what the pictures don't show
is the exhaustion to survive on each face

imagine making 3 cents per hour
and working 14-16 hours a day
everyday of your life just to have some money
or paid 2- 6 cents per piece
and working 60 to 70 hours a week

these factories even use 
human trafficking as labor
perhaps think about that the next
time you buy some new clothes
from well known brands

and it does not stop with clothing
shoes and bags, it is much more than that  

_____________________
February 10, 2022


Poetry/Free Verse/the sweat shop plague
Copyright Protected, ID 02-1429-244-10
All Rights Reserved, 2022, Constance La France

Written for the Premier contest, The Sweat Shop
sponsor, Kai Michael Neumann, Judged 03/05/2022

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Valsa George

Date: 2/13/2022 9:05:00 PM

Hi, Constance....This poem sheds a lot of light on the underpaid workers everywhere in the world ! In crammed work places , the poor workers huddle together, working like slaves, but hardly getting enough for a square meal a day ! Beautifully penned and best for a win !

Constance La France
Date: 2/14/2022 8:13:00 AM

Valsa, thank you so much for the compliment on my poem and your words express the horror of these places perfectly ~ Constance

Sotto Poet

Date: 2/10/2022 1:08:00 PM

Constance, your poem is lovely. I recall working at the age of 13 to help my destitute family. We've become accustomed to our last drop of perspiration. It's still a good experience since I learn to be strong and ready for everything if we recognize how terrible life is. Thanks for your comment on my page

Constance La France
Date: 2/10/2022 1:17:00 PM

Lasaad, working at 13 is child labour in my thinking, thanks for the visit and comment, appreciate ~ Constance

Rico Leffanta

Date: 2/10/2022 11:02:00 AM

My first paying job was as a printer's devil 60-hours per week @ $10 per week and I earned every penny, but the real problem is caused by people who cut corners leaving the consequences to fall on the innocent. All over the world, lives are destroyed or lost due to corruption. Aloha!

Constance La France
Date: 2/10/2022 1:21:00 PM

Rico, 60 hours a week for $10, that is staggering for most people to think about ! Yes, the innocent are the losers so big brand companies can save costs at the expense of women, men and children because they are so desperate for whatever they can make, it really breaks my heart to think about ~ Constance