AFL-CIO Asks Penalties Against China

In the latest attack in the outsourcing debate, the AFL-CIO – America's largest and politically strongest union – seeks sanctions against China for allegedly having an "abusive, low-pay system that has cost thousands of American jobs". Using a trade law that has thus far only been used to protect American exports, the AFL-CIO is asking the government to cut trade with China in retribution for an alleged 727,130 factory jobs lost as American companies sought cheaper labor and weaker labor protections. The US State Department, along with many human rights organizations, has charged that China allows humanitarian violations within their factories. The AFL-CIO says that Chinese workers are often paid much less than they should receive and that factory conditions are far below what world standards demand. Some observers believe that the union's proposition will receive a great deal attention during this US election year as presidential candidates strive to show sympathy for unemployed Americans. – YaleGlobal