Your company has moved some of its agri-business activity off-shore (Country X). The principal attraction is a low-wage environment and a relaxed regulatory regime. Profits have increased since the decision was made...
Your company has moved some of its agri-business activity off-shore (Country X). The principal attraction is a low-wage environment and a relaxed regulatory regime. Profits have increased since the decision was made, and this has allowed the company to cross-subsidise employment opportunities in its domestic market. Given that your competitors are 'downsizing', while profits continue to rise to record levels, your policy has brought a considerable amount of positive P.R. and support from government and the local community.
It comes to your attention that a small, and apparently unimportant, labour organisation (linked to the opposition party in Country X) has prepared a report indicating that your off-shore operations are being staffed by indentured 'piece workers', who earn a bare pittance, and that these same operations are causing serious pollution of the environment. All of this is strictly legal within the host country and there is little chance of the report being published by your local media.
What would you do? What ethical considerations would you give to your decision-making? Why? Why not? We encourage you to post your answers in the comments so we can create a healthy discussion, with the aim of learning from our peers, becoming aware of differing perspectives and challenging our own biases.
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dilemma@bfso.org. Photo by Izzy Gerosa on Unsplash