Southern and eastern European immigrants were easy prey for manufacturers who paid low wages and provided poor working conditions in factories. In many instances, the newly arrived immigrants were glad to have these sweating jobs at any wage, no matter how low.” said Boyd Childress. The reason why sweatshops even began, was for the company to make more amounts of money. Therefore, the owners didn’t pay the workers very well and invested little money in their working environment.
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During the time period when sweatshops first began appearing, the economic aspect was the only good thing about it; however, it only put money in the pockets of the owners. The actual workers were not gaining much of an economic growth.
“Half a century ago, public opinion in Britain caused British firms in colonial West Africa to pay higher wages than local economic conditions would have warranted. Net Results? Vastly more job applicants than jobs.” said economist Thomas Sowell. This proves that even economist back then were for sweatshops; even though, they knew that the workers were not being treated correctly. At that time period everyone was just worried about how much money they were saving by ignoring the workers. Sweatshops and its working condition negatively influenced the social climate of the workers during that period. “Paid by the piece, seamstresses worked 16 hours a day during the busiest seasons, but their income rarely exceeding bare subsistence.” said Peter Liebhold and Harry Rubenstein. This proves that the workers had to endure such a very long day at work to make no money. This would have a horrible effect on their social life, because they would not be able to take care of their kid or have much time for anything. Sweatshops were viewed as economical helpers; however, for the workers it was a never ending job that didn’t pay enough.
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