In an article titled “In Praise of Cheap Labor,” Paul Krugman, an economics professor at MIT, praises globalization. Regarding the mistreatment and terrible working conditions of Third World workers, he remains apathetic and offers the excuse that “a bad job with a bad salary is better than no job.” Before I go into further detail about Krugman's sweatshop case, I want to take a moment to explain what a “sweatshop” actually is, as this presentation will support my counterargument against Krugman and the economists. A sweatshop refers to factories often (but not always) located in developing countries where these operations depend on the exploitation and abuse of workers to make profits. Among the many forms of injustice that occur in these factories are: child labor, confinement of workers, exposure to poisonous fumes, physical abuse, sexual harassment, rape, mutilation, death, illnesses resulting from a harmful work environment and lack of safety procedures. Workers are forced to take birth control pills and have abortions. In fact, all of these and many more constitute a violation of company policies and labor codes. In addition to the inhumane treatment meted out to these desperate workers, they are paid very little just for living within the poverty line. Krugman argues that although these workers are paid very little compared to what they should be paid, they are still better off than living in garbage dumps. While it is true that these poor workers have a way to earn an income now that industries are developing in their countries, they are nevertheless exploited by their corporate capitalists due to their desperate and helpless situation. Despite the new opportunity, it is obvious... mid-paper... otherwise that the international community would have to stop. (Compa, 2001) Works Cited Compa, Lance (2001, July 31). Ensuring a decent global workplace. The Washington Post.Given, Olivia (1997). An indictment against the exploiters. In M. E. Williams (Ed.), Child Labor and Sweatshops (pp.21-25). San Diego: Greenhaven. Joffe-Walt, Benjamin. (2010, December 17). Workers burned alive producing luxury clothes for US brands. Change.org. Retrieved May 24, 2011, from http://news.change.org/stories/workers-burned-alive-making-luxury-clothes-for-us-brandsKrugman, Paul. (March 20). Praise for cheap labor: bad jobs with bad wages are better than no jobs. The sad science. McDougall, Dan. (2007, October 28). The shame of child exploitation threatens Gap's ethical image. The Observer. Retrieved May 24, 2011, from http://www.guardian.co.uk/business/2007/oct/28/ethicalbusiness.india