“Apple Computer is getting into a deep PR mess over the antics of one of its its Chinese partners,” Nick Farrell reports for The Inquirer.
“After denying that it was running a sweatshop that would be familiar to Charles Dickens, Apple’s Ipod [sic] manufacturer, Foxconn has finally admitted that it broken Chinese labour laws,” Farrell reports.
“Apparently it was forcing its employees to work about 80 extra hours each month,” Farrell reports. “Chinese workers can be forced to work up to 36 hours extra a month… but Foxconn’s 80 hours is well over this maximum… Foxconn’s PR then made life worse for Apple by saying that a team from the Cupertino based outfit had investigated its operations and given it the thumbs up.”
Full article here.
[Thanks to MacDailyNews Reader “Jim” for the heads up.]
We will reiterate our original “Take” on this matter: Regardless of the story’s validity (we need to know more from more sources first), Apple should make sure that the people who are assembling Apple products in China and all other countries are treated better than the accepted base standards. It’s good business, it’s the right thing to do, and it’s what we expect of Apple.
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Related articles:
Apple begins ‘thorough audit’ of Foxconn iPod factory – June 20, 2006
Apple iPod manufacturer Foxconn sternly denies iPod sweatshop claims – June 19, 2006
Apple iPod ‘sweatshop’ story a ‘poorly researched sensationalist article’ – June 19, 2006
Apple rebuts Chinese iPod factory claims – June 13, 2006
iPods made in Chinese sweatshops? – June 13, 2006
Just googling Foxconn and working conditions produced an article about HP’s compliance officer examining plants, making reports of working conditions and requiring changes, etc., starting with an inspection at Foxconn.
Don’t kid yourself.
WHY DO YOU THINK GOODS MADE IN CHINA ARE SO INEXPENSIVE?
This story may have just run into a great wall.
In fine tradition… people will take advantage of people for their own selfish needs. They do it, we do it…
Sad but true
This hurts. Apple needs to be better than this. Big time disappointment if true…
I doubt Apple said “now this IS sweatshop labor you are using right? Because if it’s not, we arent signing the contract.”
For them to say Apple approved sweatshop labor is a bit misleading to say the least.
Thing is, if Apple goes over there, no doubt they try and ‘straighten things up’ for the inspection. It’s no deifferent than if you know your boss is coming through your department, you straighten up, clean up your desk, look busier. It’s jsut the nature of the beast.
Furthermore, why is Apple getting all the heat for this. Nothing is new in this story, it goes on with every industry and has for years. Doesn’t make slave labor right, but for Apple to suddenly be gettting ALL the heat over this is ridiculous and the flames are being fanned no doubt by their competitiors, who also happen to use the same factories to producce their goods.
MDN “We will reiterate our original “Take” on this matter: Regardless of the story’s validity (we need to know more from more sources first)”
——————
Of course you do, because you’re MDN an Apple can do no wrong. However, if this was Microsoft, Dell or Creative, it would be a different story altogether. It’s called being biased.
I agree, but I want to hear all the facts first before I condem Apple for this. I have a feeling that Foxconn may have pulled a fast one on Apple, and now they’re saying Apple approved it, just to get the evil specter of disgust to look away from them. It’s just a feeling, but I cannot believe for one minute that Apple would approve this kind of thing to happen.
I didn’t hear anybody complaining about $150 iPod Nanos before!
It’s Ok. Soon you won’t even be able to afford those. Because you will have been downsized. You are too expensive you fat, dumb, spoiled, cheap Americans.
“evil specter of disgust”
Any relation to Arlen Specter?
“. . . fat, dumb, spoiled, cheap Americans.”
HEY! ! I’m not cheap!
P.S. You left out stoned.
I work about 80 extra hours a month. What’s more is I don’t have an hourly pay (straight commission).
No one is forcing me though.
And when someone buys a $400.00 Dell they aren’t at least a little suspicious of who made it at such a cheap price? Come on. This sounds like another smear campaign by iPod competitors.
China is a communist country, by its very nature people are treated like slaves, they have no freedom. Look at what China did to Google and Yahoo, they made them build search engines that don’t mention the word freedom or the famous “tank man”. If we truly wanted to “liberate” a country we wouldn’t be worrying about the mideast, we’d be worrying about the far-east.
Still, the original article’s claim that Foxconn’s employees receive £37/month is a gross exagerration.
Further, Apple would have approved the working conditions and pay structure at Foxconn. They would not have been involved in day to day decisions regarding the number of hours an employee is forced to work.
BTW, the hours the employee is forced to work is paid time, it is not free.
My feeling is that Foxconn is dead meat with Apple, and is trying to save ‘face’.
This is just truth in your face. Americans need to open their eyes and think about this whole story. Shame on Apple and shame on Americans for not producing in their own country!
This looks like a diversionary tactic. Reminds me of how the media makes Wal-Mart the only company in America hiring illegal aliens.
Again, don’t be naive. Comparatively, those fortunate enough to have a “factory” job, earn substantially more than the masses who still primarily are farmers, for themost part.
If you want to worry about something, how about a redneck dufus as President of the world’s greatest superpower?
Hoooah!
Move the jobs to Mexico so Mexicans can work in their own country.
The Media lies? Say it isn’t so!!
Reality doesn’t matter only perception does.
All in favor of: “Shame on Apple, Americans!” being kicked off the island, out of this post, and in the balls, Post “I”
Baaaaaahhhhh, Baaaaahhhhhhh
First Wind that supports your agenda and you sheep right along.
It would seem reasonable to wait for additional witnesses to come to a consensus before pulling the trigger.
Don’t you have some antivirus software to be running on your pc?
With a name like “Fox – Conn” I’m dubious of the validity news reporting. Sort of like The SwiftBoat Evening News – made up to smear the competition.
What do you expect – China is a communist country!!!! It ain’t exactly free!
@ Shame on Apple, Americans!
You said:
“This is just truth in your face. Americans need to open their eyes and think about this whole story. Shame on Apple and shame on Americans for not producing in their own country!”
Give it a rest. Your comment is just ignorant. You blame ALL Americans for the [possible] choices of a company in China?
Go away.
Of course it is a sweatshop, the whole idea of sourcing your manufacturing overseas due to cheper labour is unfair in principle and exploitative. Apple are just another greedy USA corporation.