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Chinese Labor Group Alleges Major Labor Violations at Apple iPhone 5C Supplier Jabil Circuit [Update: Apple to Investigate]
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I don't know about that guy, but I'm waiting for YOU to intervene. You obviously support these conditions, you buy electronics.
I can
Let's say you go to pick up dry cleaning once a week and as you enter a bell rings and the owner's dog barks. The owner then kicks the dog. How many time will you go there before looking for a new dry cleaner?
Let's say you go to pick up dry cleaning once a week and as you enter a bell rings and the owner's dog barks. The owner then kicks the dog. How many time will you go there before looking for a new dry cleaner?
Ever see the lines when Foxconn or one of the other large manufacturers in China puts the word out that they're hiring? Thousands upon thousands of people stand in line for days to get one of these horrible jobs. Because it's still better than the alternative.
If they don't like the working conditions, they should stop working. Foxconn would be forced to raise prices to Apple, and Apple to us. Problem solved. But it's not gonna happen, because ultimately somebody is willing to work under these conditions, some company is willing to let them, and we're almost all NOT willing to pay more for our gadgets.
What bothers me is that this storyline has the word Apple in it simply to gain page views. All the sites that report on this like to blame Apple, or at least slant the article to make it appear that Apple actually has some control over the problem. These companies make things for Samsung, Dell, Moto, HP, and virtually every other high-tech hardware company - yet you never see their names in the article.
If they don't like the working conditions, they should stop working. Foxconn would be forced to raise prices to Apple, and Apple to us. Problem solved. But it's not gonna happen, because ultimately somebody is willing to work under these conditions, some company is willing to let them, and we're almost all NOT willing to pay more for our gadgets.
What bothers me is that this storyline has the word Apple in it simply to gain page views. All the sites that report on this like to blame Apple, or at least slant the article to make it appear that Apple actually has some control over the problem. These companies make things for Samsung, Dell, Moto, HP, and virtually every other high-tech hardware company - yet you never see their names in the article.
No one can be suppressed, because no one else can think for you, which means no one else can vibrate for you, which means no one else can create reality for you. It's all you. Only you.
I'm not saying Apple can't intervene, however this article writes as if it's Apples fault. Is not the point of contracting out work so that you have to do less? It seems lately that Apple gets targeted as if they were there running the factories themselves.
Apple... the richest company in the world thanks to modern slavery
This is NOT the reason they are the richest company in the world, if indeed they actually are...
REALITY CHECK: Hundreds of companies are blamed for this, yet there's always one common denominator--China. Where do you think the REAL problem is?
I know it's not just China. Like Solent Green, it's people.
Somebody, somewhere is trying to make a buck at the expense of those of us who do the work. It's been that way for 1000's of years, and I don't foresee any changes any time soon--they don't care about your opinion, or mine.
Of course Apple will intervene as they do not want bad press like that.
Some of the posters here need to take a business 101 class in a hurry.
Money drives everything and people who say they'd pay more if xyz happened are full of it. Nobody does.
As for contract work controls when an audit is imminent everybody knows and they put everything in the best shape possible.
Once the auditors leave it's business as usual.
Putting Western morals and viewpoints onto the Chinese way of doing business
doesn't work.
The article is trying to get Apple to do something that the Chinese government should take care of.
If they were making stuff for Walmart it would be the same and why don't they ever name the other brands and products made in the same factories?
Apple's name just pulls best!
I am sick of these reports. Really. I am not saying it is a good thing these people are being abused. But the fact is that Apple is just a buyer to these suppliers. They have an agreement to provide a product to apple, just as if we are buying from apple.
Might as well accuse all of us apple product owners for the violations. It's the local government's job to force these corporations to uphold a standard (which the Chinese government don't even have one) or allow the set up a union; just like how all emerging civilization does it over time. Don't blame it on the consumer. I am pretty sure 90%+ corps / factories in china is doing something that is not to our standard.
Like the US economy down turn. I have seen people being treated SOOOO horribly at their place of employment, why aren't anything being done? or at least, why aren't the media saying more about it? Instead...ooooohhhh apple bought from a supplier who violates the laborer in China which Apple have no jurisdiction over besides paying more and more money to these factories which will continue to do the same thing.
Might as well accuse all of us apple product owners for the violations. It's the local government's job to force these corporations to uphold a standard (which the Chinese government don't even have one) or allow the set up a union; just like how all emerging civilization does it over time. Don't blame it on the consumer. I am pretty sure 90%+ corps / factories in china is doing something that is not to our standard.
Like the US economy down turn. I have seen people being treated SOOOO horribly at their place of employment, why aren't anything being done? or at least, why aren't the media saying more about it? Instead...ooooohhhh apple bought from a supplier who violates the laborer in China which Apple have no jurisdiction over besides paying more and more money to these factories which will continue to do the same thing.
When Apple is visiting though, I'm sure everything looks rather nice. The dog would even get the day off. Once Apple reps are gone... business as usual.
Plus your example doesn't really compare well, maybe where you live not many dry cleaners kick their dogs... Here in China pretty much all factories are like this. Apple can do a lot, but it can't change a culture.
To really prevent this Apple would have to open their own factories with their own supervisors.
Exactly. Because you can't get sick enough to make sick people get better, and you can't get poor enough to make poor people get rich. You can't vibrate for anyone else.
Exactly.
And all the factories here are like this, if you're not, you're not competitive. Apple can't change an entire culture.
The only real way Apple could prevent it is to open and supervise their own factories here.
True, it seems like of like "blame by association".
On the other hand, Apple - in the past at least - has been very aggressive in their dealings with partners. It may be (we're not privy to the details) that Jabil Circuit's margins are being squeezed so they have to in turn put greater pressure on employees.
All I can say is - China does seem to have very work & workplace ethics to many Western nations; can't say I would like to live & work there.
I'm sure Apple would prefer that this not happen. Either way if this catches steam it could taint the iPhone 5C launch.
Does this supplier do work for companies other than Apple? You won't know if you read this report. Interesting how its always Apple alone inheriting responsibility for all the misdeeds of their suppliers.
I'm sure Apple will continue working on this issue, but making it Apple's sole responsibility to reform a countries work culture may be asking a bit much.
I'm sure Apple will continue working on this issue, but making it Apple's sole responsibility to reform a countries work culture may be asking a bit much.
Using your example, you should require your dry cleaner to allow you to camp out in his store to monitor his behavior or you should at least make frequent unannounced visits to inspect his operation. This is the same standard you are apparently expecting Apple to take. I'm sure if Apple witnessed something (or had credible complaints) they would take action, but to expect a customer to take responsibility for anything the vendor does is completely ridiculous.
In fact, by those standards, you should immediately refuse to purchase any more Apple products since customers are responsible for the actions of their vendors.
While these watchdog groups likely have good intentions, there is a huge political element here, and they are not above using Apple (as in knowingly painting them as negligent, regardless of the facts) to further their goals. They know their ability to directly coerce the Chinese authorities is minimal due to the political & cultural environment, so they aim to use companies like Apple (with the potential threat of pulling production) to do what the Chinese government will not. I appreciate the original intent of improving worker conditions, but the means being used is, itself, unethical. Apple probably does more than any other large corporation in these areas, yet these groups and the press routinely rewards that by blaming them even more.
Rare earths are not rare.
Rare earths are very expensive to turn into usable products if you try to avoid massive damage to the environment, and cheap if you don't care about the pollution. The western countries could easily produce all the rare earth metals they want if they didn't care about the massive pollution involved.
Why is this Apple's problem? Shouldn't this be an issue for the Chinese government? Don't THEY regulate and enforce labor laws? I don't see the Chinese government holding the mfgs responsible for violating the laws. Heck, China probably doesn't even have labor laws pertaining to minimum wage, overtime limitations, meal period break requirements, etc. If they do, the laws are probably minimal and rarely enforced as can be seen by the widespread violations that go unpunished.
Amazing how these labor groups throw out allegations and immediately everyone takes them for the gospel truth without even giving Apple the opportunity to respond. Also curious that this "news" comes out a few days before a major product launch.
For everyone complaining in this thread, if it bothers you so much quit buying Apple products. Limit your purchase to companies that don't employee Chinese labor and pay workers what you consider a fair wage.
For everyone complaining in this thread, if it bothers you so much quit buying Apple products. Limit your purchase to companies that don't employee Chinese labor and pay workers what you consider a fair wage.
All the suppliers are doing the same thing. This is a China law and working person issue, not an Apple issue.
Apple has cancelled contracts with companies found to intentionally hire underage workers. Apple has forced companies to return these workers back to school and pay for their education. Apple has forced companies to repay money to workers who paid exorbitant fees to agencies. And if there is evidence that workers working on Apple products were not paid for overtime (which, if you look carefully, they are not claiming), you can be sure they will be paid.
Remember the news: "Workers at Apple factory threaten suicide". Why? "They are afraid of losing their jobs because Microsoft is cutting Xbox production".
This. I was in a Jabil factory in Huangpu earlier this year. Honestly I thought things looked pretty good, clean, workers seemed reasonably pleased with their work.
A few times I was able to freely travel between buildings, which surprised me. All that said these are the allegations you really can't see while there and they definitely put on a bit of a show for visitors.
Amazing how these labor groups throw out allegations and immediately everyone takes them for the gospel truth without even giving Apple the opportunity to respond. Also curious that this "news" comes out a few days before a major product launch.
For everyone complaining in this thread, if it bothers you so much quit buying Apple products. Limit your purchase to companies that don't employee Chinese labor and pay workers what you consider a fair wage.
It would be very interesting to find out who's funding CLW. There's a definite fragrance to the timing of many of these reports.
Forbes, not exactly a friend of Apple and a source for many anti-Apple junk pieces, even had this to say recently:
http://www.forbes.com/sites/timworstall/2013/07/29/china-labor-watch-shouts-nonsense-at-apple-again/
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I agree. With Apples coffers overflowing with billions, they look awfully crass & insincere about improving conditions. Especially since they promised to address this during the "Photo OP" trip of months ago. Taking a page out of the politicians book of deceptive practices, it's obvious they're adept at saying one thing, but doing nothing to follow up.