Chapter 11: Overseas

Kervin Michaud

Alex Daviano

Cara Giberson

Farrah Solomon

Sunday, Feb. 3:The AssignmentSunday, Feb. 3:The Assignment• Chris has an assignment to build a resort called

the Hibiscus Retreat in an underdeveloped country called Genala.

• For the first three months he will be overseeing and directing the project.

• Trish, who is his assistant will be remaining in Genala for the duration of the project with periodic visits from Chris every two months.

• Trish is an engineer with a specialty in infrastructure. This is her first overseas project which will present her with a great career opportunity.

The Hibiscus RetreatThe Hibiscus Retreat The resort is to be built in an The resort is to be built in an

underdeveloped island called Luca which is underdeveloped island called Luca which is located in Genala. located in Genala.

The island is connected to the mainland by The island is connected to the mainland by a recently constructed bridge, which the a recently constructed bridge, which the local people are happy to see being they local people are happy to see being they will not have to rely on the unreliable ferry. will not have to rely on the unreliable ferry.

They can simply walk across the bridge and They can simply walk across the bridge and save their money. save their money.

The people are also happy because they The people are also happy because they will be hired as workers on the construction will be hired as workers on the construction site and once the resort is built, then hired site and once the resort is built, then hired as gardeners, cleaners and maids. as gardeners, cleaners and maids.

This makes Chris very happy about his This makes Chris very happy about his project he is overseeing. project he is overseeing.

The conversationThe conversation• Chris meets the project manager for PKK who is Ah Chee Chris meets the project manager for PKK who is Ah Chee

and finds he is very pleasant and friendly. and finds he is very pleasant and friendly.

• They have a conversation, leading with Ah Chee They have a conversation, leading with Ah Chee explaining why other companies who have tried to build explaining why other companies who have tried to build in Genala are unsuccessful. in Genala are unsuccessful.

• He starts talking about a Company called Ulf. who was He starts talking about a Company called Ulf. who was to build the first hydro plant in the mountains near to build the first hydro plant in the mountains near Ramaya. Ramaya.

• The problem was, the company wanted to pay the local The problem was, the company wanted to pay the local people 100 dollars a week, which the liaison man from people 100 dollars a week, which the liaison man from the ministry said was three times too much for the the ministry said was three times too much for the workers.workers.

• Jealousy amongst other workers and insight inflation.Jealousy amongst other workers and insight inflation.

• Pressure on the government to increase the legal Pressure on the government to increase the legal minimum wageminimum wage

• Cause labor unrestCause labor unrest

Trish asks how much our laborers are being paid and she Trish asks how much our laborers are being paid and she finds out its three dollars and fifty cents a day.finds out its three dollars and fifty cents a day.

10 percent cash bonus at the end of the their employment on 10 percent cash bonus at the end of the their employment on the project which is close to $75 the project which is close to $75

Chris explains the workers get benefits like free lunches, Chris explains the workers get benefits like free lunches, medical care, health service for children, free prescription medical care, health service for children, free prescription drugs, nurse for the village, and free child day caredrugs, nurse for the village, and free child day care

Hand and power tools givenHand and power tools given Gain construction skills and can work for other companiesGain construction skills and can work for other companies Trish felt it was slave labor and that the company was Trish felt it was slave labor and that the company was

exploiting the people and their land for rich people to come exploiting the people and their land for rich people to come and take it away. and take it away.

Change of topic• Chris asks Ah Chee to talk about the hydro

dam to change the topic.

• Ah Chee address the problem of tools and equipment disappearing

• Solution: Engineer from New Zealand named Ben McDougal suggests paying tea money so workers wont steal

• Ben joins the rest of the group and talks of many events he has encountered in other countries.

Monday Feb. 4• Chris runs into Ben for lunch and finishes their

conversation about the hydro plant• Ben says the failure of the project resulted in a

guy distributing human rights pamphlets. • The government found out, kicked the company

out if they do not fire the guy, and pointed out the company violated the contract.

• Contract saying to respect and not disturb the local culture.

• As a result another company from New Zealand took over and finished the project.

End of Chapter

Ethical Issues

Environmental Racism

• Undesirable land is usually sited in minority based communities.

• Promises can be made to the people who are in the communities concerning removal of an undesired service, such as a landfill

• Because of the low cost to the government things can be built on undesirable grounds

• Promises broken by later political regimes and disrespect to the people are wrong, because you are working for the people.

Human Rights II• Idea of universal human rights dates back

to about 300 yrs ago when it was referred as the “natural rights”

• John Locke, Thomas Paine and Charles, baron de Montesquieu writings influenced France and America during the revolutionary movements.

• Original doctrine based on Christian principles; rights to life, liberty and property was given by God.

Human Rights Cont. • Modern times showing how people are

starting to believe in the moral, legal, and civil rights.

• Some people believe the government is crossing the line on written rights and the governments powers should be reduced.

• Ex. Taxation on products and then using the money to fund things that taxpayer’s do not directly or necessarily support.

Politicians and Their ReputationsPoliticians and Their Reputations Beliefs of corruption in democracy. Beliefs of corruption in democracy. People higher in the government or People higher in the government or

society are less ethicalsociety are less ethical The message in this story is for engineers The message in this story is for engineers

to be ethical peopleto be ethical people The president is the most powerful person The president is the most powerful person

in the world along with other world in the world along with other world leaders, and he should be the most leaders, and he should be the most ethical person there is. ethical person there is.

If the president and government are not If the president and government are not ethical, then the people in their nation ethical, then the people in their nation will always tend to lose respect for them. will always tend to lose respect for them.

The End