Exploitation of the Workers in the Retail Industry

Question: Discuss about theExploitation of the Workers in the Retail Industry. Answer: Introduction In regards to the social development, the retail entails the process of selling consumer goods or the services to the consumers using different channels of distribution in order to earn profits. The Quickshop is probably one of the retail industry which highly concentrate on the customer satisfaction (Campbell, Boese Tham, 2016). It has more than 60 stores in Queensland, Australia providing an in-depth shopping experience through offering more choice and value to the client. Nonetheless, the Quickshop as a medium sized business that is looking forward to providing more branches and becomes the best in the industry faces various issues. One of the biggest problems they are facing is the exploitation of the workers in the retail industry which consequently may have implication on the brand of the business (Campbell, Boese Tham, 2016). The report aims to examine different types of exploitation and the potential demerits about the exploitation of the workers in the retail industry. Summary of the Issue There are different types of exploitation of the employees by their employers, especially in Australian retail industry. One of the ways is an underpayment of employees. The workers are paid below the minimum wages at $10 instead of a wage of 24 dollars. This has been exhibited in one chain store sevem-7 in Australia (Burgmann, 1995). The employees especially those from foreigners have had their visas taken, and forced to work for long hours which are of the permit condition to stay in that country. There are also concerns about the wage theft where workers wage are robbed of their part-time work especially the penalty rates for working at night, weekends and perhaps during the public holiday. The half pay scam has been dominating in the Australian retail industries where the workers work for 40 hours a week for an average of 12 dollars per hour against the award rate of 24.69 dollars per hour. This is labor exploitation, particularly when one works for more than 16 hours without a b reak. Exploitation of the workers in the retail industry has many demerits. Exploitation is a bad example as well as severe damage to the legitimate rights and the interest of employees. The press practices and exploitation of the employees are a grave violation of the business law and social practices (Webster Randle, 2016). On social, economic and development the exploitation of workers might not bring profit and health operation of the firm but instead, stagnate on the development of the organization. Consequently, this will lead to the wrong impression for the corporate image and brand management. Implication forBusiness The exploitation of workers is a common practice in the retail industry; this will have a harmful impact on the industry. The customers will no longer trust in the retail industry because they are providing unfair working practices (Esposito Evangelista, 2014). The need to take proactive steps is imperative and ensures that the franchise business partners adheres to both ethical and legal business standards while being profitable. Additionally, the industry needs to provide a convenient shopping experience to the customers and provide fair opportunities to the workers. A fit for purpose approach would be appropriate for the retail industry to enable them to increase profit. References Burgmann, V. (1995). Revolutionary industrial unionism: the industrial workers of the world in Australia. CUP Archive. Campbell, I., Boese, M., Tham, J. C. (2016). Inhospitable workplaces? International students and paid work in food services. Esposito, E., Evangelista, P. (2014). Investigating virtual enterprise models: literature review and empirical findings. International Journal of Production Economics, 148, 145-157. Webster, J., Randle, K. (2016). Virtual workers and the global labour market. Dynamics.