The Battle In Seattle

 

November 30, 1999. approximately 40,000 or more protestors gathered outside the World Trade Organization Ministerial Conference.
 what were they protesting? Globalization. they gathered at the Washington State Convention and Trade Center in Seattle, Washington, United States. Religious groups, Labor Unions, and concerned citzens alike gathered there, and before long, the police joined them--though not in their support. The group of prtestors was so massive that they made a virtual blockade. that morning, the police fired Pepper spray, tear gas, stun grenades and rubber bullets at protesters in several area's in an attempt to clear the streets and allow WTO delegates through the blockade. And eventually, some of the protestors became violent and fought back or destroyed shops.  (it is also noted that a police order that day also banned the use or sale of gas masks near the area where this was happening)

Mac and Foxconn

Sweatshops. a modern form of slavery. bad. right?

then why did the technology giant Apple use them? the obvious answer? the money. Apple used contract manufacturer Foxconn, Foxconn used the lives of less fortunate people all around the world.
Contract manufacturers like Foxconn are now an key peice to the electronics industry puzzle and are responsible for approximately 20% of all manufacturing revenue last year. In case youre interested, here are the numbers:

The global electronics manufacturing business, consisting of electronics manufacturing services (EMS) and original design manufacturing (ODM) firms, generated an astounding $359.8 billion in revenue in 2011. As brands have increasingly outsourced production, the contract manufacturing industry has undergone enormous growth in recent years, with revenue rising from $264.0 billion in 2006. While revenue is expected to dip in 2012, the industry continue its expansion trajectory in the coming years, with revenue expanding to $426.1 billion in 2015.

The Fair Labor Association did a little digging into the Apple-Foxconn in China and foung that workers were working long hours and werent being payed adequately. (view the FLA report here)

but remember, Foxconn is an electronics contractor, and there are many others like it. this means that any electronisc company is viable for this same thing. sweatshops--slaves--all around the world are being employed by way of middlemen, all because we 'cant live without' what they are forced to make for us.

http://www.fairlabor.org/report/foxconn-investigation-report
http://www.forbes.com/sites/connieguglielmo/2012/04/10/tech-needs-to-clean-house-after-apple-foxconn-fallout/

USA blocks Canadian import. illegal under NAFTA?

NAFTA. North American Free Trade Agreement. Free trade. So then why did the US prevent Canadian generic drug company, Appotex, from importing their product to the US? that's just what Appotex is going to figure out. the import block lost them their American customer base, and this move cost them at least $520 million US dollars. naturally, they want their money back. that was all the way back in 2009. finally, Appotex ha been able to do something about that. just recently, they launched a challenge against the U.S. government under the controversial Chapter 11 provisions of the North American Free Trade Agreement.

http://www.theglobeandmail.com/report-on-business/international-news/apotex-sues-us-government-over-import-ban/article2369028/