If George Clooney Understood Basic Economics, He Wouldn't Be So Sad

George Clooney, who is a paid promoter of Nespresso, said he was “surprised and saddened” to learn of child labor allegations facing the coffee giant, reports The New York Post.

A forthcoming investigation from the British documentary program Dispatches claims Nespresso and Starbucks rely on beans picked by young children working long, “grueling” shifts in Guatemala to pick beans for their coffee.

“Honestly I was surprised and saddened to see this story,” Clooney, 58, said in a statement sent to USA TODAY. “Clearly this board and this company still have work to do. And that work will be done.”

Of course, if Clooney understood basic economics he would know that children working "long grueling shifts" are doing so because it is the best alternative they have. Nespresso is really doing a good thing by employing them. It has been documented that these children, in their environment, often turn to prostitution or begging as the only alternative to Nespresso type jobs.

Ben Powell has done an excellent job of explaining this:




-RW