The globalized economy has resulted in giant multinational corporations moving production around the world to take advantage of the lowest wages, least regulations and most generous subsidies from local governments desperate to obtain the foreign investment needed to pay off international debts. Occupational health professionals have joined with activists in the consumer countries and with worker and community organizations in the producing countries to hold multinational corporations accountable for safe, healthy and just conditions inside the plants and in the surrounding communities. The technical challenges of monitoring labor practices internationally, and the lessons of effective, cross-border campaigns in Mexico, Central America and Asia over the last five years will be analyzed and highlighted. See www.igc.apc.org/mhssn
Learning Objectives: At the conclusion of this session, the participant will be able to: (1) Recognize and describe the global economic forces generating and sustaining "sweatshops" in both the developed and developing worlds; (2) Analyze the dynamics of globalized production chains and identify where public health professionals can contribute to improving workplace and community health; and (3) Develop an action plan to participate as an occupational health professional, and as a citizen, in the global "anti-sweatshop" and environmental justice movements.
Keywords: Occupational Health, International Systems
Presenting author's disclosure statement:
Organization/institution whose products or services will be discussed: None
I do not have any significant financial interest/arrangement or affiliation with any organization/institution whose products or services are being discussed in this session.