Concepts from Class: Globalization exploiting women

Globalization is fueled by neoliberal economic policies using the cheapest means of production to increase profitability. Free trade zones and corporate compounds are established in areas with little regulation on wages, health, safety, and the environment. This allows transnational corporations and companies to exploit third world nations for their cheap labor force, especially women.

Third world nations aid in the spread of globalization by attracting foreign capital to relocate within their region by offering tax incentives and by building the necessary infrastructure needed for production. Those affected by this means of globalization work for close to nothing as they are unable to support themselves or their families through their low income. This is hard to counteract as companies threaten to move their operations elsewhere leaving an even larger burden then before. As corporate capitalism spreads throughout the world, these negative effects are having a large impact on women’s roles and livelihood. These roles become degrading and unhealthy as women reside in a world that undermines their ability and moral rights as human beings.


As we learned from the concepts in class about women’s roles in western manufacturing, women were in great demand for their low paying labor to compete with foreign competition. An example of this trend was shown in English companies, such as textile productions and garment-makings, sought out Asian and African British women to fill these low-paying jobs that offered minimum benefits and a series of maximum health hazards (BBB pg160,161). The sexual and racial politics used by the post-imperial British corporations exploited the use of immigrant women in the work place with cheap-labor. This practice was adopted culturally as small firms in the US and Canada used the “home-work strategy,” which targeted women of color and immigrants due to the fear of being deported. These were early means of production used within nations against women in a manner that can be seen unethical and unhealthy. As competition increased, firms began to look elsewhere to establish cheaper production. Third world nations became an attractive fit as firms were able to take advantage of their lower wage standards and tariff laws.

When examining the factories residing in parts of Asia in class we learned about the connection international politics has on ignoring the health and financial impacts these institutions have on women. In Melissa Wright’s “Disposable Women”, she depicts women in factories in China being presented with a two year contract that is terminated immediately at the end of the agreed upon period. Men are instead presented with job security and the opportunity to improve their position for a better future in the company. Upon signing this contract women are also required to pay a cash deposit that is kept by the company until their contract is completed. If this contract is terminated before the ending date, the company keeps the deposit. Termination can be enforced if women are found sick, injured or pregnant. There are no health benefits or compensation for any work related health concerns or injuries. The women have very little freedom as they are forced to ask permission to use of the restroom or to take lunch breaks. Women are also not allowed to travel into the city or leave the compound for any reason. They are under constant surveillance as they are packed into dorms and small work areas to be easily monitored. Men, on the other hand, have freedom to conduct themselves as they please in and out of the work place. Any mistakes made by men are attributed to the fault of the work environment. Meanwhile women who make mistakes are unacceptable and poor performance can lead to termination. The wages of women are significantly lower even though they are the driving force for production. These are all examples of how women are exploited in an effort to socially control them and limit their position within an industry

"Bananas, Beaches and Bases"> Cynthia Enloe

"Disposable Women". Mellissa Wright

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Globalization in Saipan

Almost all major corporations use a strategic globalized strategy. These corporate businesses use underdeveloped countries as the locations for their manufacturing plants. I've talked briefly in my earlier blogs about various negative effects that are found within a globalized market. The focus of this blog will help support these indications, as I examine the effects global markets have on the island of Saipan. Saipan is the capital of a United States common wealth on the Northern Mariana islands located off the coast of Japan. Many American corporations have established factories within Saipan. These corporate businesses take advantage of Saipan's tariffs, tax incentives, and minimum wage regulation the US territory has to offer. These large businesses exploit the already weak regulations as they violate many human and labor rights.

The labor force in Saipan is made up of almost all non-resident alien workers, the majority of these workers are women. In order to be hired, workers must pay recruiting fees extending between $2,000 and $3,500 hundred dollars. Many foreigners pay this large fee with the illusion that they will be offered U.S. standards of labor but in actuality the American territory has exemptions from American federal duties allowing them to abuse labor and wageregulations. Minimum wage is only $3.05 and health benefits are minimal if they are offered at all. Women are taken advantage of by the corporations who place their factories in Saipan. In a documentary called "Behind the labels: Garment workers of US Saipan" many of the women who were interviewed reported that managers often held months of their pay. This made it very difficult to pay off their large recruiting fee and profit. After paying the large recruiting fee, working for free for months, and low wages it is almost impossible to make any kind of profit.


In addition to the horrible working conditions and minimal if any pay, they are subject to the harsh rules and regulations of the corporate compound. These rules consist of curfews, forced overtime work without the legal compensation or sometimes even pay, restrictions on certain social behaviors, and rules against becoming sick or pregnant. Disobeying these codes and regulations often leads to suspension or termination. The large recruiting fee leads thousands of individuals to fall into thousands of dollars in debt, creating an influx of crime, health, and social problems within the infrastructure in Saipan. Some women pay these large recruitment fees to sign contracts as waitresses but upon arrival find themselves forced into sexual slavery.

Past employees of the infamous Antonio Benavente fought back against being neglected compensation for their work. Workers sued for 1 billion dollars and won making Benavente the first businessman in Saipan to be convicted for human and labor rights violations, however. This victory against the negative impacts of globalization was bittersweet, as thousand of these workers were never compensated for their back wages totaling over hundreds of thousands of dollars since Benavente fled Saipan immediately after the verdict.

The example of Saipan shows how gobalization is effecting communites and societies negatively, as workers are exploited for basic human and labor rights. We can see the use of our American flag being used unethically to garner interest and trust, as employers promise fair wages, and good housing benefits. These lies only help to harness the increase of crime and poverty as globilzation is becoming a leading economic force.



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www.thegateway.org/browse/2483
www.humanrightsproject.org/vid_detail.php?film_id=1
www.globalexchange.org/economy/