Responsibility in a Global Marketplace
In some South Asian countries it is common for children as young as eight years old to weave the handmade carpets and rugs that are exported to Western countries. Many of these children work for a pittance and some are losing their eyesight because of the close attention they must devote to their tasks, often for 12 hours a day. What is the responsibility of people outside these countries to children employed in these occupations? Note: While some might (reasonably) respond with the statement, "Don't buy these rugs," is there something positive that a person might do that goes beyond merely not participating in the commercial exchange?