“According to China Daily, factory workers last week damaged equipment and vehicles in response to a number of alleged deaths from overexposure to toxic chemicals,” Marsal reports. “Employees said they did not accept the local government’s investigation into the matter. Bloomberg reported that the factory is a component supplier for the iPhone.”
“On Friday, workers gathered in the morning and caused damage at the Suzhou Industrial Park,” Marsal reports. “They also blocked off a road and threw rocks at police, though no casualties were reported.”
Marsal reports, “Various reports said that the workers were reacting to rumors of a canceled 2009 bonus, but one worker told China Daily the matter was not solely about money. ‘What we feel angry about is the company authorities’ apathy to our workers’ health,’ said a worker named Zhu. He also added that employees have been overworked and underpaid.”
Full article here.
MacDailyNews Note: Apple’s Supplier Responsibility, Supplier Code of Conduct, and more info here.
Today is Martin Luther King Day, a U.S. federal holiday. The markets are closed today in the U.S. and many people have the day off. Consequently, while we expect news to be somewhat light, we do hope to bring you Apple-related news throughout the day.
Keh…
R2 is a simple character who wants liberty for him or herself and doesn’t care if anyone else loses theirs in the process.
He/she has no need of unions: And if he doesn’t need them, no one else is entitled to them.
In one of his warm and fluffy posts last week, (s)he simply channelled Rush Limbaugh’s Humanitarian Of The Year broadcast and said that as they had already paid their Federal income taxes, they didn’t feel any moral obligation to contribute to the appeals or Haiti.
I hope that helps you form a mental picture.
The public cannot be upset about this be it real or not. If the public is bothered by this news and thinks apple shouldn’t purchase from Chinese markets then no one should buy from walmart.
“In the end, as usual, only the very rich benefit.
The average American, sadly, is unable to comprehend this and happily(?) goes off to work at Starbucks.”
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I have to chuckle when I encounter such advanced criticism from Europeans.
This has nothing to do with Apple. It’s the company who has the contract.
As for making it in the US. That boat sailed a long time ago because American’s refuse to pay for US manufacturing.
China, Pakistan, India now all make our every need.
Think about that…
Malasia and Singapore have lost manufacturing jobs to China and Viet Nam. Cheaper labor supply. But, if a labor force is not stable then contracts will dry up and move on to the next China.
Yep, I’ve said a million times. If anyone could help set a trend of manufacturing in American again, it’s Apple. They have the profit margins, the patents, the technology, the stability in business plan and R&D;. And they have to make up some of the “loss” in time-to-market and transportation costs. This is sadlly, the Apple not seen. ALL of their products now made in China.