Question

What is the responsibility of Western firms whose manufacturing takes place in countries like Vietnam, Ethiopia, or Bangladesh. How should that be sustainable?

Minimum 400 words

Answer 1

Outsourcing is the process or strategy by which many organisations contracts and sells out their major functions like manufacturing or production to specialised or efficient service providers who would then ultimately become valued business partners for the companies and business.

The major reason behind outsourcing was basically because of the emergence of more and more developed countries and the way they are conducting their business. As the business and the ideas to promote and make the business go stronger increased, the less important areas of business that only required manpower and no strategic or logical thinking like production, manufacturing or packaging related services and functions tends to become outsourced. Bigger and better western countries like America, UK, Canada, Europe etc tends to outsource their businesses to smaller and under developed  countries like India, Bangladesh, Vietnam, Ethiopia etc. These companies tends to outsource to focus more on important and relevant areas of the company. This outsourcing is a beneficial way for the company to grow at a faster and cost effective as focus could be put into more important functions. On the other hand the businesses and the countries who are being assigned with these work gets money, resources, development, employment opportunities, growth, technology boost and other economical benefits which is a good and healthier point for the economical and sustainable growth of the world. But, every country or company outsourcing their work also have to understand and take responsibility of the ethical code of conduct and ethical trade and labour practices to make sure the world economy and difference shouldn’t make anyone feel harm or discriminated against one another.

1. Labour Treatment: The first important responsibility the western countries have is the treatment and how you are making the labour force work in smaller countries. You have to make sure to treat people right to get your work done. Don’t treat them like they are just workers and doing your non important work, instead treat them with respect they deserve, the skills and also engage with sustainable and ethical supply chain and outsourcing practices to make sure every manufacturing unit is safe for work and supports a healthy environment for work.
2. Labour Wages: Also, make sure every law and order regarding the equality and equity wages and salaries for the employees, better offers and incentives, giving them what they deserve as per their manufacturing and production done and giving them the right payment and wages for the work is very important. We have seen many examples of big companies like Apple or KylieCosmetics not paying its Bangladeshi workers for the manufacturing of what they deserve. Many lawsuits were filed against the same companies as well. Thus, make sure to work in a responsible manner and give the workers what they deserve for ethical growth.