Exploitation: Who is to blame?

Many people dislike companies who move their factories and plants to third-world companies in order to exploit cheap labor. Many claim that this is exploitation. And it is. But is it solely the fault of evil capitalist companies? Is big business to blame?
While businesses would ideally pay everyone a living wage, everyone knows that businesses stay competitive while cutting costs everywhere. I’m not trying to say that this makes exploitation right; I’m just expressing that all companies within any form of government are going to cut costs wherever possible. No system will change that. That said, socially aware companies might choose to pay higher wages to third-world labor and advertise their product as socially responsible. Of course, that would also be a form of exploitation. Most of us can agree that companies should pay people more fair wages, but what would that lead to in the end?
Companies are exploiting cheap labor in third-world countries. But what would happen if they were forced to pay workers a living-wage? If that were the case, what incentive would companies have to move their plants to other countries, where high shipping prices, and dealing with foreign governments may drive their costs up? If companies have to pay higher prices on labor, it may well be just as economically wise for them to stay in America. Many citizens like the idea of American-made products, and companies could exploit this advantage. If companies stayed in America for labor, where would foreign workers be? Certainly, the jobs they have don’t pay enough, but the fact remains that they are lining up for such jobs and every position in factories is filled. The fact that such little pay keeps people lining up for jobs says nothing about American factories and everything about governments of countries that allow such exploitation. If foreign companies and governments could provide jobs with living wages for people, they would not be dependent on exploitative American companies.
In summation, the root of the problem lies in foreign countries. While American businesses are being exploitative and socially irresponsible, the solution to the problem lies in governments taking a stand against such companies. The problem runs two ways; and it isn’t fair to cry foul only on companies, who are doing what companies are known to do, cut costs. Governments are in place to protect their citizens. In this case, they aren’t doing their jobs. It’s time to cry foul on them.