| Goober | 17 Nov 2015 8:32 p.m. PST |
Whilst on a long drive today I was listening to a piece on BBC Radio 4 about retailers in the shoe and fashion industry ensuring that their suppliers are treating their workers ethically. As well as fair wages, acceptable hours and working conditions they mentioned that it was often necessary to to ensure that basic health and safety were adhered to, as many developing nations didn't have the same levels of industrial legislation as the first world consumers. They example they cited was leather for shoes being produced in a tannery where the workers would wade barefooted around in the toxic and caustic chemicals. This got me thinking. With the recent trend towards offshoring many elements of production to reduce cost – plastics to China, for instance – how important is it for wargamers to know their products are produced in a "fair trade" environment? Also, what steps do suppliers take to ensure that their partners aren't taking advantage of their workers? I'd be interested to hear your thoughts and comments. G. |
| Goober | 17 Nov 2015 8:40 p.m. PST |
I should clarify that I'm not suggesting that there aren't reputable, ethical and professional companies in China. I only used that example as shorthand for the globalisation of the manufacturing process as it diversifies away from the local, "cottage industry" roots. G. |
| shaun from s and s models | 18 Nov 2015 2:13 a.m. PST |
I work long hours for little money in the uk!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
like a lot of gaming suppliers I reckon. |
| McWong73 | 18 Nov 2015 4:08 a.m. PST |
I'm too worried about fair play and ethical conduct in my games to notice issues of fair trade and ethical conduct in my minis! But yeah, it's probably a bit too late for western consumers to worry about an issue that has surrounded manufacturing since the industrial revolution. |
| John Treadaway | 18 Nov 2015 9:37 a.m. PST |
China? There's gaming companies whose products I won't purchase for ethical and employment reasons that are much closer to home than that… John T |
Extrabio1947  | 18 Nov 2015 6:18 p.m. PST |
Manufacturing always chases the lowest cost source of labor. When wages increase in China as they certainly will, manufacturing will move to the new lowest cost source of labor |
| Cyrus the Great | 19 Nov 2015 10:40 a.m. PST |
When wages increase in China as they certainly will, manufacturing will move to the new lowest cost source of labor That will be Chinese factories in Africa! |
| Col Durnford | 19 Nov 2015 12:07 p.m. PST |
It's only when the shipping cost is more than the labor saving that jobs move back. |
| Lord Elpass | 20 Nov 2015 9:19 a.m. PST |
"There's gaming companies whose products I won't purchase for ethical and employment reasons that are much closer to home than that…" I guess they will not be getting any trade space at Salute 2016 then ;-) |
| Weasel | 23 Nov 2015 8:24 a.m. PST |
I try not to purchase from companies that are shady, period, gaming or not, but in the modern age, that gets challenging. Our lifestyles are built in large on the misery of others. |
journeys to and from the Australian national convention - and tells us what he thinks of panicking tank hordes and flat terrain!