The film maquilapolis

14 April, The film “ Maquilapolis General idea promoted by the US government around the world is that the way this country can care about the welfare and safety of people, no other country can. Yet, what is intensely and astutely portrayed by the film “ Maquilapolis”, directly questions the take of the US on matters of social justice and human welfare. This film provides evidence for the notion that there is little welfare, but black corruption in gigantic proportions propelled by the US corporations towards economically disadvantaged workers. Millions of such workers in developing countries are brutally exploited and their anguish never gets acknowledged. Slavery got abolished ages ago, but this film shows that slavery in a different attire is still alive, as menacing and crippling as ever. Forcing workers to push themselves on ridiculous wages translates into taking advantage of their disadvantaged position, which is a matter of shame for the US.
The presence of mediators is critically important to regulate the US corporations so that employees’ exploitation could be effectively stopped. It is the absence of neutral third parties which foments all the bizarre injudiciousness portrayed in the film. This absence gives the American employers in developing countries power and liberty to exploit those workers because they are confident that their subordinates have no neutral party to get help from. Their objections are not heard, but grossly muffled in the chaos which perpetuates the highly unfair working environment in those countries. The expenses of hiring lawyers are eliminated if mediation is employed. Also, very creative solutions are constructed by mediators and conflicting parties actually start to feel better about one another. So, if I were in a position of power, I would most definitely make it mandatory for all mediators to keep a strict check on employers who are in control of workers in developing countries.
In order to prevent the US corporations from polluting the environment of developing countries, the role of neutral third parties is again worth mentioning. Instead of the company managers, it should be these third parties who have authority to inspect the factories very comprehensively and take care of even the most intricate details. It should be ensured prior to starting any work operation that all filtration and waste disposal systems are laden with latest technology and fully functional. Quality should not be compromised for quantity and heavy investments should be made regularly in environmental control policies of a company. So, I would make it my priority to hire well-qualified mediators before anything else to get all environmental control policies implemented for the benefit of people in developing countries.
My reaction to the film briefly discussed in this essay is quite similar to that contained in Daniel’s post. Both of us have not made any effort to hide our disgust on the behavior of the US employers in developing countries. Both of us have expressed sympathy for the exploited workers and acknowledged their suffering. It is absolutely horrid that people are faced with a demeaning compulsion to work at insulting rates and both posts object to this issue. My recommendations to regulate the US corporations are similar to those highlighted in Daniel’s post in context of the potential role which could be played by well-qualified mediators or third party negotiators. However, there is more focus on coverage of healthcare costs of employees in the other post which is also absolutely necessary. Getting a third party to audit all books of the companies set up in developing countries would also be a very smart strategy with incredible consequences.