What is most frustrating about these next chapters is the fact that what is presented actually happens. Corporations are actually getting off the hook by saying that people choose the lifestyle in which they are found. Because of this they are completely removed from any responsibility to improve the conditions and give the people more rights. What is even more disturbing is the idea of workers being asked to sacrifice so much for a product. Immigrant workers are encouraged to believe that they are responsible for the creation of each individual product. In a horrible sense they are told to treat the product as if it was their child and they are the parent. Making sure that the product makes it to the shelves is the sole priority of the worker. In doing this workers are sacraficing their health and are working towards the success of the business at the expense of themselves. What is worse is that people are led to believe that they actually have made a choice base on the information they have been given.
Companies frequently withhold or even lie to employees about the products that they are handling which has dire consequences. When people are unaware of the fact that they are dealing with hazardous chemicals they lose respect for the tool and so may not act as carefully around it. Also, when people are not told what they are actually working with, there is no conceivable way for them to actually willingly choose to work in unsafe conditions. Another unfortunate condition in the worker, company relationship is that companies will go to great lengths to prevent workers from getting leverage over them. As shown in the book when injuries or sickness occurred, workers were sent to doctors who were paid for by the company and so would not give correct assessments of the illness. This leads to unjust treatment and has direct health implications. What is also caused by the unbalance in the relationship is that workers are forced to put up with such injustices or lose their jobs. This enforces the companies stance that people choose to live under such environmentally hazardous conditions when actually they are just trying to make money to provide for their family or children. When people are forced to choose between a crappy lifestyle and the life of their families, of course they will sacrifice themselves. What’s most sick is that the companies continually exploit this fact in efforts to make cheaper products.
After learning of these problems it makes me look around in awe at the extent of the problems we face on the e-waste front. Everything in my life is founded on electronics and sad as it is to say there is very little I could get away with getting rid of. What this means for me from now on is that I will be more selective and frugal in my choices. I will keep my computer, phone, TV, and MP3 player for as long as humanly possible in order to reduce my direct effect on situation. Also, I will encourage my family to participate in this choice to the best of my ability.
