Sweat Fire And Ethics By Bob Jeffcott Summary

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In the article “Sweat, Fire, and Ethics”, the author Bob Jeffcott argues about the presence of sweatshops in the garment industry. He awakens the reader’s conscience by informing them that regardless of the type of clothes they buy or whether they are labeled Fairtrade certified or not, the workers who make them are subjected to an unsafe, risky environment and pitiable, inhumane, exploitative working conditions. In that regard, he puts forth before the readers about the incident of 1913, when a fire broke out in New York garment industry leading to many casualties awareness about the need to improve working in sweatshops and how in its aftermath, there was a consensus built for improved safety standards at such factories.

However, the author further warns the readers about the change being temporary because of the evolution of globalization and free trade.

Jeffcott proves his point by giving examples of large companies like Nike, trying to outsource their factories to lower the production cost. He also gives examples of companies in Mexico and Thailand who are facing problems because of the high production cost. He then draws the reader's attention towards the company code of conduct formed because of the protest of various students against sweatshop abuse. The company code of conduct was formed for the betterment of people working under conditions like long hours, low wages, sexual abuse. However, the code of conduct was not being met because of the pressure applied by companies to the suppliers to make a quick and inexpensive product. Bob Jeffcott concludes the argument by giving various solutions such as purchasing clothes ethically, trying to find the factory location, knowing the working environment of the companies, improving various policies and regulation by

pressurizing the government.
The author at the Maquila Solidarity Network organization has been bombarded
with various questions regarding the availability of sweatshop free and Fair Trade certified clothes, which inspires him to write the argument.

Jeffcott introduces his argument apprising the readers about the fair trade labeled clothes. Further enlightening them, that fair trade label clothes do not provide a picture of the working conditions of the people sewing the clothes. He then leads to his claim about the need to improve the sweatshop conditions for the people working in the developing countries. I have always been a firm believer in equality for all human beings which makes me inclined towards the article. The author introduces the argument by showing strong appeal to pathos by using vivid language describing the working conditions involving poverty, low wages, and long working hours. Providing examples of the deaths of people in the companies who work under such miserable conditions, he generates sympathy among readers making them persuasive towards the argument. After creating a connection with the audience, he highlights the major reasons for sweatshop abuses. The author argues that the first major reason is the evolution of globalization and free trade. To support his reasons, he then provides various examples of big companies shifting their production offshore to save production costs. He also provides evidence of big companies like Nike and Gap thus making the argument effective for the readers. These examples have a strong emotional appeal inclining towards

pathos but also shows a slight appeal to logos. The second half of the argument focuses on the second major reason for sweatshop abuse being insufficient, weak, unfair regulations existing in small as well as the big brand companies. He makes the argument effective by questioning the readers about their own values and beliefs by making them aware of the sufferings of the laborers. He then gives examples to support his reasoning by talking about the big companies establishing the code of conduct to satisfy the consumers about the working conditions of the employees. However, this code of conduct had a various conflict of interest thus pressurizing the employees to hide their abuses. The author concludes the argument by appealing to the readers about strong, decisive steps needed to curb the sweatshop abuses.
The author enlightens the readers about free trade, sweatshop conditions, and
consumer’s responsibility due to his experience on the subject by working for the women’s organization. His knowledge, credibility and ethical writing can be seen in his argument effectively, with an appeal towards ethos. However, the author is slightly biased towards his viewpoints not expressing the opposing views. In the argument, he does not talk about the advantages of outsourcing the jobs providing employment to needy people, not conveying a positive ethos. The author’s tone conveys rage and displeasure because of the conditions in which women are forced to work. The audience in favor of this argument is most likely to be people interested in human rights issues, human resource department of cloth manufacturing companies. In the beginning of the argument itself, the author tries to establish a connection with the audience and throughout the argument, he uses strong emotional appeal to pathos to make the argument persuasive to the readers. Different examples and statistics provided throughout provides depth to the argument and establishes the credibility of the author.