It can be justified because our entire economy would collapse otherwise. If most of the people in the US want to continue to purchase goods at relatively low prices then this is what is necessary. Go ask the average person why they do not shop at Whole Foods. Now imagine what would happen if every company paid their employees as well as Whole Foods does for unskilled labor and put as much effort as Whole Foods does into sourcing products that are better for those producing them (http://www.wholefoodsmarket.com/products/whole-trade.php). What happens to those on the lower end of the earning scale in that situation?