Proliferation of sweatshop labor?

[Diane Monaco <dmonaco@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>]

Chinese competition keeps neighbors' wages low 
By Marwaan Macan-Markar
May 1, 2002
http://www.atimes.com/china/DE01Ad02.html
BANGKOK - The Thai government fears that China will draw away
much-needed foreign investment from the country, but Thai workers have a
different worry - that Chinese competition will pull local wages down
further... 

China's rise triggers a race for much-needed investment in Asia,
competition that Thai labor activists fear is driving governments and
businesses to lower costs to survive Beijing's economic might. Key among
the labor-rights activists' concerns is the reluctance they see among
companies in the export sector to consider a wage hike for the largely
female labor force....
 
"Thai employers are using the presence of China as an excuse to
demand for cheap and informal labor," she argues. "More women
workers will then end up in the unprotected sector, working at home, and
the employers will have no obligations, like social benefits, rights, for
their workforce." Currently, women employed in Thailand's
manufacturing sector are entitled to 90 days' maternity leave, sick leave
and compensation if dismissed under the country's Labor Protection Act.