Subject:
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Re: New LEGO factory inaugurated
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Newsgroups:
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lugnet.off-topic.debate
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Date:
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Tue, 5 Dec 2000 07:53:34 GMT
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Viewed:
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495 times
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In lugnet.off-topic.debate, Aaron West writes:
> In lugnet.off-topic.debate, Lindsay Frederick Braun writes:
> > In lugnet.lego, Eric Kingsley writes:
> > > In lugnet.lego, Mark de Kock writes:
> > > > In lugnet.lego, Adrian Drake writes:
> > > > > So they are closing US operations while opening a new factory in the Czech
> > > > > Republic? I guess labor's cheaper there.
> > > > >
> > > > > Adrian
> > > > > --
> > > > > www.brickfrenzy.com
> > > >
> > > > Or they work harder over there ?
> > >
> > > Now thats a low blow... I don't particularly appretiate it either.
> >
> > Perhaps it's meant as an ironic comment. As an American living
> > in the Netherlands, I can tell you that they don't work
> > any harder here than they do at home. [1] (If anything, 5:00pm
> > is even *more* sacrosanct here--the traffic pulse is stunning!)
> > There is a 'myth of the lazy American' that seems to be wide-
> > spread in much of Europe. Considering the image of ourselves
> > that we market to the rest of the world, I can see how it got
> > started. The fact that most Americans encountered by Europeans
> > in Europe are on *holiday* probably doesn't help.
> >
> > But in a way, it's not necessarily a cut on Americans--after
> > all, they didn't put the factory in Britain, France, or the
> > Netherlands, did they? I have a feeling it has to do with
> > the startup costs, the labour costs, *and* the labour *laws*...
> > something we might not like to think about (the possibility
> > of LEGO exploiting labour). But it is notable that they didn't
> > try to go well outside the EU.
> >
> > best
> >
> > LFB
> >
> > [1] On the average. Individual cases will vary.
>
> Well, you are on to something I think. In the US the major cost would go to
> lawyers, while it is likely that the developing Eastern European contries
> are more open to corporations stepping in. They likely will experience less
> legal resistance than in the home of the free and the brave. Perhaps they
> are not exploiting labour, but rather taking advantage of a system that has
> less red tape.
> 2 cents,
> Aaron
Well I guess these are all good arguments for TLG to move their production
facilities elsewhere. Though this may be sour for the people who will be
layed off at the Enfield plant this is just another fine example of how
globalisation takes its effect.
I can't really blame companies that follow this strategy, it may be
necessary in order to survive the fierce competition they face. What I do
think is important though is that a company upholds it values and good
standards wherever it operates.
I think that large multinationals have a responsibility in new developing
economies/markets. TLG should contribute to set a standard in the Czech
Republic and make sure that any employee that works for the company
-wherever that may be- works under equal safe and healthy circumstances.
Last summer my parents took a tour in a Czech factory where crystal glass is
produced, I saw the pictures and was astonished about the circumstances the
employees have to work under. It was hardly what any Western-European or
Northern-American would call a save place to work. Perhaps Western Companies
can make a contribution to elevating the standards in countries like these.
my two (Euro) cents - Wessel
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Message is in Reply To:
 | | Re: New LEGO factory inaugurated
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| (...) Well, you are on to something I think. In the US the major cost would go to lawyers, while it is likely that the developing Eastern European contries are more open to corporations stepping in. They likely will experience less legal resistance (...) (24 years ago, 2-Dec-00, to lugnet.off-topic.debate)
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