The Challenges

Globalization. It has become one of those words synonymous with protests and fear. “Why are so many people angry about globalization – a term that has come to encompass everything from expanded trade and factories shifting work around the world to the international bodies that set the rules for the global economy?” Many citizens fear that free trade will eventually and already has started to harm the environment, wages, and sometimes might even cost jobs.

Environmentalists fear that actions will be taken in other countries to increase production of goods that harm the environment when not limited, or restricted by the world market.

To read more on the environmentalists’ position on globalization please read: www.wcel.org/wcelpub/1999/12757.html and www.sierraclub.org/trade/environment/

Unionists are frightened because they believe that wages will be cut and jobs will not be spared if goods can be imported at cheaper prices from different international companies. They will continue to press for “labor standards that can be incorporated into the world trading system.” For more information on the unionists’ position on globalization please read: http://www.labournet.de/diskussion/wipo/bacon.html

Many human rights organizations will also continue to press for labor standards, because as they view it, jobs in developing countries will require children and others to work long, laborious hours and yet take home a next to nothing pay. For more info on human rights’ views on globalization, please see: http://www.pbs.org/globalization/home.html .

Source: Business Week - 24 Apr 2000 Issue