Canadian and US corporations routinely engage in business with partners from developing countries where the workplace standards vary significantly from those in North America. In recent years, Apple has been criticized for its supply chain partners’ workplace conditions and worker treatment. Additionally, many global brands including Loblaw’s Joe Fresh, H & M, and Benetton partnered with garment manufacturers at Rana Plaza, the facility that collapsed and killed 1, 138 employees and injured over 2, 500. Recently, researchers have alleged that the supply chains of numerous automobile companies including GM, VW, and Tesla, may include forced labour. In a class action lawsuit filed on behalf of the Rana Plaza victims against Loblaws, lawyers argued that, “Western corporations which seek to benefit from the low cost of labour in [various] countries  . . . must be held accountable when the workers that produce their products are exposed to unnecessary risks and are injured or die as a result of unsafe working conditions.”

Drawing upon Zwolinski’s, and Arnold & Bowie’s perspectives as well as other course material, discuss whether Canadian corporations that outsource their work have some responsibility for their business partners’ workplace conditions and worker treatment. If yes, in your discussion, identify specific responsibilities and indicate why they are important.

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Zwolinskis and Arnold Bowies perspectives suggest that Canadian corporations that outsource their wo... View the full answer