TEDTalks: The Capitalism Paradox Season 1 Episode 17 Auret van Heerden: Making Global Labor Fair

Auret van Heerden is the guest speaker for this episode of TEDTalks: The Capitalism Paradox. He delves into the issue of global labor and how the current system is fundamentally flawed. Workers around the world face exploitation, low wages, and unsafe working conditions. He seeks to revolutionize the system and make it more equitable for everyone involved.

Van Heerden is the president and CEO of the Fair Labor Association (FLA), a nonprofit organization that works to improve labor conditions globally. The FLA works with companies and factories to ensure that workers are treated fairly and given the basic human rights they deserve. Van Heerden says that the problem with the current system is that consumers hold the power; they want cheap products, and companies are willing to go to great lengths to provide them. This has led to a race to the bottom in terms of labor conditions.

Van Heerden argues that capitalism can still work, but that there needs to be a rethinking of the way it operates. He suggests that consumers need to be made aware of the conditions under which their products are made. They need to be able to make informed decisions and vote with their wallets. This can be done by creating a certification system that identifies products made under fair labor conditions. Companies that adhere to these standards would be given a seal of approval, and consumers would know which products to buy.

Van Heerden also believes that labor unions are important in protecting workers' rights. However, unions are not always effective and are often seen as a threat by companies. He suggests that unions should work collaboratively with companies and listen to their concerns. In this way, they can find common ground and work together to improve labor conditions.

Another issue that van Heerden discusses is transparency. Companies need to be more transparent about their supply chains and the conditions under which their products are made. Consumers have a right to know whether the products they buy were made by workers who were paid a fair wage and given safe working conditions. Companies that are more transparent will be held to a higher standard and will be more likely to improve their labor practices.

Van Heerden's talk is an inspiring call to action. He believes that the current system can be changed, but that it will take a collective effort. Consumers, companies, and labor unions all have a role to play in making global labor fair. By working together, we can create a system that benefits everyone involved and ensures that all workers are treated with dignity and respect.