“Those who believe that Apple is acting out of line can always boycott the company’s products, or iPods specifically, and work to get others to buy different MP3 players. But before picketing the Cupertino offices, potential boycotters may have to face a few harsh realities,” Elizabeth Millard reports for Newsfactor.
“Is Apple the Kathy Lee Gifford of the technology biz, or just another U.S. company hoping that its overseas manufacturers aren’t engaging in labor violations? It’s a more complicated question than many might think,” Millard reports. “Recently, Apple was the focus of a British newspaper’s investigation into the conditions of the Chinese factory where iPods are made. The story alleged that workers were paid very little and forced to work 15-hour shifts to assemble Apple’s wildly popular MP3 players.”
Millard reports, “In response to the allegations, Apple dispatched an ‘audit team’ to the manufacturing site and then issued an extensive follow-up report. The report noted that, although there were a few violations as well as areas of improvement needed, the company wasn’t the sweatshop overlord it had been made out to be.”
“The issue has thrown new light on working conditions in the technology sector. As in the apparel industry, many electronics and computer components are manufactured outside of the U.S., often in countries where labor unions are practically non-existent and working conditions may be far from ideal,” Millard reports. “And, so we wonder: is it ethical to own an iPod, given that it might be made by people working ungodly amounts of overtime, in an environment that may or may not have labor laws enforced? The answer is awfully tricky, say many labor experts.”
“‘The fact is that any operation that subcontracts in East Asia is going to be running into these labor practices,’ says Robert J.S. Ross, professor of sociology at Clark University and author of ‘Slaves to Fashion: Poverty and Abuse in the New Sweatshops.’ In other words, if non-U.S. labor standards make it unethical to own an iPod, you might as well also ditch your computer, game console, cell phone, and while you’re at it, half the clothes in your closet,” Millard reports.
“‘The manufacturer that produces iPods is larger in revenue than Apple itself,’ says Ross. ‘That should tell you something about where high-tech goods are being made. Not everyone shares China’s standards, but that’s where manufacturing is increasingly centered,'” Millard reports.
Full article which adds nothing new, strangely avoids the name Foxxconn like the plague, and should cause readers to wonder why Newsfactor is dredging up an old story now, here.
[Thanks to MacDailyNews Reader “Herkimer” for the heads up.]
Related articles:
Apple iPod lifts generation of China’s workers out of poverty – September 26, 2006
iPod-manufacturer Foxconn drops lawsuit over iPod ‘sweatshop’ report – September 03, 2006
Chinese government orders iPod manufacturer Foxconn to let workers unionize – September 01, 2006
iPod-manufacturer Foxconn cuts damage claim to against journalists to 1 renminbi (US$0.13) – August 31, 2006
Apple ‘working behind-the-scenes’ to help resolve plight of Chinese ‘iPod sweatshop’ journalists – August 30, 2006
Apple asked to intercede on behalf of Chinese ‘iPod sweatshop’ reporters – August 29, 2006
Foxconn sues journalist, editor over iPod ‘sweatshop’ story – August 29, 2006
Apple releases ‘Report on iPod Manufacturing’ – August 17, 2006
Should Apple build its own factory in China to manufacture iPods? – July 03, 2006
iPod maker admits breaking Chinese labor laws; says Apple approved sweatshop labor – June 26, 2006
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
Blah blah blah blah blah blah…. if it weren’t for Apple these people would have nothing…
In a few months, we’ll know in what country Zunes are manufactured, and if Toshiba/Microsoft cheap labor is better treated than at Apple suppliers plants.
So let start a boycott on DELL, HO, LENOVO, MICROSOFT, Nike, Adidas, Kennwood, JBL / Harman Kardon…….. may be not.
Apple is a wonderful company with high ethical standards. These news items from a month or two ago claiming differently are lies propogated by people who have a financial interest in seeing apple feel. These same people feel that you, mdn readers, are stupid for supporting Apple over their inferior, overpriced garbage. Don’t fall for their tricks and start whining about Apples ethics.
Is it ethical to drive a huge gas hogging SUV?
Is it ethical to buy ANY clothing not made in the US?
Is it ethical to feed your kids fast food 5 days a week?
Is it ethical to drink Coca Cola.
If we are going to start nitpicking on iPods, then lets look at EVERYTHING, not just what gets you page hits.
it is ethical to own an iPod.
But it is NOT ethical to own an iPod and ignore these situations that need to improve.
“if it weren’t for Apple these people would have nothing…”
Does that mean that ANY treatment is justified? Would beating and murder be OK? No.
So where is the line drawn? You have to ask the question. And not answer it blindly, or with what you want to hear, but carefully, with research and compassion.
“shut up applez alwayz right” is the common theme in these boards, but luckily most Apple users take a more reasonable stance. It’s not always black and white.
“then lets look at EVERYTHING, not just what gets you page hits.”
Ummm, yes, people SHOULD look at everything. That INCLUDES Apple and the iPod.
Why should Apple not get its turn? What makes Apple special? Those other things you mention DO get their share of critical press too.
Besides, what gets you hits makes sense sometimes. Them’s the breaks. The price of Apple’s success.
And if the price of success isn’t just profits, but also better working conditions, what’s so awful about that?
Later Apple will get good press for improving things (and hopefully the good press will be true). The Lord Apple will survive this dastardly attack
” width=”19″ height=”19″ alt=”smile” style=”border:0;” />
Who pays the bills at Foxconn
No, sometimes it’s white and black.
By pricing its labor uncompetatively, the US has basically said, “We don’t want menial low-wage factory jobs anymore.” Yet still the idiot liberals whine and cry about low-wage service jobs that are left for those without college degrees (or even with college degrees, thanks to the oversupply of college graduates). Here’s the conundrum for you, guys:
1) Let’s get those low-wage factory jobs back! Ok, but to do so, we’ll have to get rid of social security, eliminate the federal minimum wage, shrink government, or stop paying dues to the U.N. Pick one, because all of them are massive expenditures of taxpayer money.
2) Let’s boycott all those nations that produce things that we refuse to produce! Ok, but where do you propose that you get your nifty gadgets from, then? See #1.
3) Let’s just all go without all these great things that we can make because having things is like, wrong, man! Good luck on that one. I’d really like to see you tell teenaged girls that they can’t have a cellphone.
The anti-economic left is reduced to throwing pies at people because they sure can’t come up with any economics that make sense.
Americans are truly my chosen people. American ideas and standards should be adopted world wide and any country that doesn’t embrace these should suffer the same fate as Iraq. It is my will.
“1) Let’s get those low-wage factory jobs back! Ok, but to do so, we’ll have to get rid of social security, eliminate the federal minimum wage, shrink government, or stop paying dues to the U.N. Pick one, because all of them are massive expenditures of taxpayer money. “
LOL. Yeah doing all those does NOTHING to get these ‘low wage factory jobs’ back. Not one.
How about cutting 2% out of the defense budget, which is probably only 10% of what’s wasted. FYI government under the supposed republicans has GROWN, not shunk.
I guess by your rationale, if liberals are whining about wanting fairness then the republicans must desire slavery.
Busting Skulls,
Yes the “right” has done a fabulous job with the economy.
WTF are you talking about? Do you even think for yourself or just parrot the B.S. Rush and his kind spew over the airwaves?
Take a look at the economic history in the country over the last thirty years and see which party understands the economy.
Give me a break.
“Later Apple will get good press for improving things (and hopefully the good press will be true). “
That is BS and you know it. The press almost never reports on the good that a company does. Or gives the media attention necessary to overcome the lies that were propagated by this same media.
Classic example is the Audi “sudden acceleration issue” The press jumped all over this claiming that Audi could, for no reason, suddenly accelerate during braking. Numerous tests were done and it ws determined that the problem was completely driver error…the driver pushed the accelerator instead of the brakes. Did this make front page news? Did any of the media sources make a big deal out of their mistake that almost ruined the company? ummm…No they didn’t. If they reported it at all, it was buried in the paper or briefly touched on in a newscast. The various media sources do not report good news, but jump all over those that are suspected of fowl play.
For another example take a look at the McMartin Pre-school case. These people were ruined. And the children that made these claims had lied…they all did. There was no truth to any of it. But these people had their lives ruined by some vigilante parents and trial by the press.
Apple gets the target painted on it because of the type of company it aspires to be – so be it. However, I challenge you to go to Walmart or Target or practically ANY store and try to buy something under $50 that isn’t made in china. The last time I went to Toys are Us to get a birthday present for my son I paid attention to where things were made. Almost everything in the store was made somewhere other than the US and most of it was made in China. It got me wondering… how long can we keep this up before it causes real problems in our economy? But beyond that – if people are considering boycotting chinese made goods, they will really have a hard time buying most consumer goods people buy today (except, for the moment, food).
SkullsofIdiots…
By pricing its labor uncompetatively, the US has basically said, “We don’t want menial low-wage factory jobs anymore.”
I would say that comment is grossly ambiguous and hurts my head trying to make sense of what you said. You bust skulls with words alright, but it’s not with your viewpoint or wisdom, it’s the manner in which you arrange the letters!
You know nothing of economics or the global market.
You’re prescription for getting low-wage factory jobs back is almost as idiotic as your suggestion that American citizens boycott Japan’s auto manufacturers because GM and Ford refuses to build Honda-like cars.
Take note, Delphi, the largest US auto parts supplier, just filed THE largest bankruptcy filing in US history because it couldn’t obtain welfare from General Motors and now seeks relief from America’s tax-paying citizens! ?
GM is likely to file for Chapter 11 if they cannot appease the UAW.
So in light of everything you’ve said, I’d say Americans are doing the exact opposite of what you prescribed. They’re choosing Honda’s over Buicks.
As far as pie throwing is concerned, you’re in class all by yourself.
awestruck-
Buicks are ugly
“In a few months, we’ll know in what country Zunes are manufactured, and if Toshiba/Microsoft cheap labor is better treated than at Apple suppliers plants.”
Wow, talk about abusive labor practices. Could you imagine spending 80 hours a week putting together Zunes?
MDN should post a sign on the homepage that reads:
“‘(X) Number of Days Since We’ve Had a Heated Political Discussion Thread”
I wonder what the record is?
There is some utter bollocks in this thread.
Ford and GM aren’t suffering because of their labour costs, they’re suffering because they’re building cars that nobody wants to buy.
Toyota’s Camry has been the largest selling car in the USA for eight of the last nine years and it’s made in Kentucky, albeit in a plant that has no union influence.
Here are just some of Ford and GM’s mistakes…
1) Failing to invest in research and development.
2) Failing to evolve their products in terms of quality, handling and sophistication: a current Ford Mustang is no better at going round a corner than a forty-year old Mustang. And don’t even get me started on the quality of American interiors.
3) Building the wrong product despite the fact that it’s obvious nobody wants them.
It’s all very well blaming the “workforce”, but when you have a stupid management team who are unable/unwilling to see the writing on the wall then the resulting mess is obvious.
Got you head (skull) up your own Ass?
“We don’t want menial low-wage factory jobs anymore.”
Translation, I can’t afford to feed myself, let alone my family at a job like this.
“We’ll have to get rid of social security, eliminate the federal minimum wage, shrink government, or stop paying dues to the U.N. Pick one, because all of them are massive expenditures of taxpayer money.”
Better yet, stop the war in Iraq before the U.S. becomes the next Soviet Union.
By the way, it would be spelled “uncompetitively” not “uncompetatively” that is if it was a real word.
Why go on…..
“Exploitation” is the buzz word used by liberal “can’t-thinks” and is borne out of Western White Guilt.
Gee Wally… why do we exploit the Chinese? If we didn’t, then wouldn’t all these Chinese women just bo back into their kitchens and bake bread for when their husbands come home from the office?
No.
Why don’t liberal nut-cases understand the nature of near-total unemployment and poverty in developing nations? China is offering it’s labor services to a world economy and Western manufacturers are availing themselves of these services for the prevailing rate.
China’s trade surplus in manufactured goods increased to $128 billion during the first half of 2006, an increase of $43 billion over the same period of 2005
“Is it ethical to own an iPod?” What a dumb-ass question.
Greg L
Your argument is lost when you throw in ad hominem attacks. Nothing says “can’t think” more than ascribing a thought or action to the “opposite” using catchphrases or buzz words.
Liberal, Conservative, Libertarian … whatever. Think for yourself get out of your mental rut.
By the way, I agree with you conclusion.
“Is it ethical to own an iPod?” What a dumb-ass question.
Ford and GM aren’t suffering because of their labour costs, they’re suffering because they’re building cars that nobody wants to buy.
That’s very profound Realist!
The high-priced labor poured into making these GM cars no one wants to buy is besides the point, right? Blame it on concept and design, not labor, rising health costs, and overhead.
GM has been the world’s number 1 automaker since 1931. 75 years is a pretty good run but they are about to be passed up by Toyota.
GM (1908) vs. Toyota (1986) • 2004 stats
Best selling vehicle in the US?
GM: Chevrolet Silverado • 680,768 sold in 2004
Toyota: Toyota Camry • 426,990 sold in 2004
North American Workforce:
GM: White collar: 36,000 • Production: 106,000 • Retirees: 460,000
Toy: White collar: 17,000 Production: 21,000 Retirees: 1,600
Healthcare costs per vehicle
GM: $1,525 Toyota: $201
Average wage per US hourly worker:
GM: $73.73 Toyota: $48
Profitability per vehicle:
GM: Loses $2,331 per vehicle Toyota: Makes $1,488 per vehicle
I’d say the cost of labor is dragging GM down and you say it’s because people aren’t buying their cars. You say potato, I say potato.
Is this moron for real? LOOOOOOOOOOOLLLLL!!!!!!!! what a tool