Foxconn Accused of Hiding Underage Workers During Audits

[Santabean2000]

I worked a couple of the "Apple Demo Days" events at Best Buy when I was 16, giving demos of the then-new iMac computer in 1998. I was very proud to be a part of Apple and promoting products that were a passion of mine. Yes, I was only 16, but Apple paid me $100 a day for about a 5 hour shift. I think that's the big difference. $1.78 a day and 12+ hour shifts are inhumane for any form of work.

I think it's $1.78 an hour!


Fact is, the developed world maintains its status and standard of living through the rampant and relentless exploitation of the developing world, by plundering natural and human resources.

The country where I live now is built with cheap labour from India, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka and mainland China. Typically these guys sign three year contracts to come out here from their homeland. The first year they pay off their air ticket here, the second year they save money to take home, and then the third year they pay for their return flight. Meanwhile the country and it's property developers make billions. Literally.

Modern America was built on theft and slave labour. In my home country, all the natural resources were just taken from the native people. It's a story repeated around the world over and over again.

 

[charlituna]

Eh. Even I think this is a bit of a non story. A 16-17 year old working in a factory isn't that bad. As long as they're being paid a decent amount, allowed to go to school, and aren't forced to work 80+ hours a week, it's really...eh.

If they are out of the legally required school levels sure. And they aren't allowed to work OT which means they aren't doing crazy hours, which is a good thing

 

[unplugme71]

The thing is, when you have nothing and come from nothing, you'd be willing to get a job like this. Even if it only paid a dollar per day just to have the hopes of having something one day.

We can bitch about illegals in our own country, but do you want to work on the farms for a few bucks a day?

I think we need to look at ourselves first and stop wasting money foolishly. Stop giving free healthcare and medical benefits to anyone who isn't a citizen. Stop giving people 2 years unemployment when they are just draining our economy. It's fine if you can't find a job and collect, but you should be required at least 20 hours of community service or some sort to be able to collect this benefit.

Everybody wants everything for free but no one wants to work for it. The value of the dollar will keep decreasing until we go back to bartering.

Stop giving in to things. Stand up and fight. Even if you're all by yourself. Just like why do we agree to 20-30% credit card interest rates when the banks only pay us 0.05%.

 

[Rocko1]

It's $1.78 a hour!


Fact is the developed world maintains its status and standard of living through the rampant and relentless exploitation of the developing world, by plundering natural and human resources.

Modern America was built on theft and slave labour. In my home country, all the natural resources were just taken from the native people too. It's a story repeated around the world over and over again.

Child workers and wage rates are just the tip of an enormous ice berg. Putting pressure on Apple and Foxc is not going to change the world, but can perhaps make a difference for some people at least; some change is better these no change.

No, it's not. The Illuminati must be taken down!

 

[BC2009]

I'm pretty sure that the managers at Foxconn are vampires who feed on the employees and therefore have to hire new employees at such an alarming rate. By feeding on the employees they also don't have to pay them at the end of the month.

In other news.... Soylent Green is People!!!! It's People!!!!!

 

[crisss1205]

HA I love it (a nice "slushi" sounds good right now, is it 5 o'clock yet? It is in London!)

When I was in my 20's living in NYC, I worked at Crobar bartending 5 nights a week, 9pm-6am, then had classes at Columbia from 8~4 pm, slept a bit, gym, then back to work. 5 days a week. 'Course I was making mad money, some night $1k around 2003-2005, but man I couldn't do that now.

What is the legal age for working? Is it federal or state mandated?

I believe it is state mandated, I know in New York to work in a factory you have to be at least 16 years old. Almost any other job it is 14.

----------

Wikipedia says between 250,000 and 300,000 workers at Foxconn in China-not one million so YOU have your numbers way off- and to say compared to US workers they are doing fine is ridiculous-they live like ants in cramped rooms-work like slaves at menial jobs and do not have all the benefits we have. To say I do not know how capitalism works is wrong-it's that Capitalism works wrong in my opinion. The workers should own that factory and split to money!

Um, Wikipedia says 920,000+

 

[markm49uk]

ABC should have asked to speak with iPhone Girl.

Image

Then the REAL truth would be revealed!

Oh no not this again

https://forums.macrumors.com/threads/547777/

 

[gnasher729]

If Foxconn and Apple agreed to pay these people even one more dollar per hour than the $1.75 they average now-ten thousand workers- it would add up to just under $3 million a year.

And maths education wherever you are living is in an abominable state.

BTW. Foxconn has about one million employees. I wonder what you suggest for those that are not working on Apple products.

 

[kmichalec]

Actual excerpts taken from the "FoxConn surprise inspection" tapes

"Man! This media attention is really starting to turn negative. We don't want to get knocked down off our pristine, princess darling pedestal. Maybe we should really check FoxConn, to make sure they aren't doing anything illegal? I have an idea... Ring Ring Hello? FoxConn? Are you doing anything illegal? (whispered) They say 'No' sir. Ok, I'll tell them. Well, we're getting a ton of bad press about this cause we raked in a Gillizion dollars last year for items that cost us 32 cents to make under your labor agreements. Now, I'm sure that under such a competitive labor agreement, there's no WAY there could be anything unscrupulous going on! But we're considering sending a surprise 'independent verification team' to come check to make sure you're not lying to us!"

(A few days later)

"Ring Ring Hello? FoxConn? Yeah. This media attention isn't dying down at all, so we decided we are going to send a team to come see you, to make sure you aren't doing anything illegal! When? We're not sure yet. It'll be a surprise, but first we need to attempt to deflect in the media a bit, maybe do some "denial" PR work, then maybe after that we'll come, but it'll be a surprise alright! You just watch out! Hey! What's that scrambling/rustling noise I hear in the background? Oh? You're doing a hide and seek team building exercise? Sounds cool. Ok. See you soon. Ok, bye. Click (WHISPERED - Someone make sure it get's leaked to the press, so we can look like we are doing something about this)"

(A few days later)

"Ring Ring Hello? FoxConn? Yep, we picked the 'independant team' to come visit you and they'll be coming out there soon, so you better not be doing anything illegal! Ok. Thanks. Bye. Click"

(A few days later)

"Ring Ring Hello? FoxConn? Yep, we're really getting ready to come see you FoxConn, as we are packing our things right now and we're going to make sure you're not doing anything illegal! Ok. Thanks. Bye. Click"

(A few days later)

"Ring Ring Hello? FoxConn? We're getting on a plane now to come and make sure you're not doing anything illegal, so you better not be! Ok. Thanks. Bye. Click"

(A day later)

"Ring Ring Hello? FoxConn? Yeah, we just landed, but we're kind of tired, cause it's a LONG flight, so we're going to check into our hotel rooms first, and then grab some dinner, and call it an early night so our interrogation skills are up to snuff. We'll come tomorrow morning to make sure you're not doing anything illegal. Ok. Thanks. Bye. <heard in background : 'Siri...find the nearest strip clubs...what do you mean you can't perform that function at this time?! S-T-R-I-P clubs! Find....Damn it! You f'in bitc....>Click"

(Next day)

"Hi FoxConn. We're here. Oh, look! A parade that says welcome 'independent auditors'. Hmmm. Didn't realize you had other independent auditors coming too, cause that can't be for us, since this is a surprise. Uhhh, can you turn the music down a bit, please? Our heads are hurting from the....uhhhh....flight yesterday. Yeah. That's it. The Flight. Anyways, ok, are you ready?

Are you doing anything illegal? No?
Are you sure? No?
Are you really, really sure? No?
Are you absolutely, positively, really 100% sure? No?

We'll, there's no way you could have circumvented our intense scrutiny of questions or hidden anything from our unexpected, completely random, surprise inspection. I guess everything's ok! Imagine that! Nothing illegal is going on here! Carry on with all the 'non-illegal' stuff you've been doing, FoxConn!

Ring Ring Hello? Sir? Yes, everything is fine here! No issues whatsoever! I agree. There's no way they could have gotten by our crack auditing team. Great. We're on our way back home now. Can you ask the limo driver to have a hot tub filled with money ready and waiting in the limo? I haven't had a good money bath here in China for the last two days. Ok. Thanks. Bye. Click Announced to press: OK, everyone! Move along now! Nothing to see here! We did our part!"

Go F'in figure!

 

[feszty]

Hard heads

When will people realize that the whole world can't be measured by American or European standards. Most places, such as rural China, kids don't have the luxury of going to school until they are 20+ years old. Parents can't provide and actually it is the kids who have to provide for themselves. There are few choices for them, mostly manual work on the field. So if they get a chance of working in a modern factory for decent wages, it actually improved their lives.
When I was in Sichuan, I was told that the waitresses are making a 100 RMB a month, which is about $16.

If they kick those kids out of these factories, it won't help their situation, only worsen it.

 

[crisss1205]

If Foxconn and Apple agreed to pay these people even one more dollar per hour than the $1.75 they average now-ten thousand workers- it would add up to just under $3 million a year. NO Big deal to Apple which has BILLIONS in cash-but a huge deal to these slaves. What is the problem with corporate people being unable to provide a fair wage? I will pay 20-30 dollars more for big ticket Apple products if I know the workers will get it and not the greedy corporate execs. and Wall St. They live in a communist country and should take the plant into employee owned and profits distributed to them all-and insist on more from Apple!

Do the math again, you may have forgotten to carry a zero, it is more like $30 million for 10,000 workers.

 

[mr.steevo]

I think it's $1.78 an hour!


Fact is, the developed world maintains its status and standard of living through the rampant and relentless exploitation of the developing world, by plundering natural and human resources.

The country where I live now is built with cheap labour from India, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka and mainland China. Typically these guys sign three year contracts to come out here from their homeland. The first year they pay off their air ticket here, the second year they save money to take home, and then the third year they pay for their return flight. Meanwhile the country and it's property developers make billions. Literally.

Modern America was built on theft and slave labour. In my home country, all the natural resources were just taken from the native people. It's a story repeated around the world over and over again.

In my country all you have to do is check off a few boxes on a government form and *BAM!* you have a cheap 12 year old working for you.

http://employment.alberta.ca/docume...Employees-in-Restaurant-and-Food-Services.pdf

 

[monaarts]

Wikipedia says between 250,000 and 300,000 workers at Foxconn in China-not one million so YOU have your numbers way off- and to say compared to US workers they are doing fine is ridiculous-they live like ants in cramped rooms-work like slaves at menial jobs and do not have all the benefits we have. To say I do not know how capitalism works is wrong-it's that Capitalism works wrong in my opinion. The workers should own that factory and split to money!

Okay... Even if Wikipedia is right, thats still not $3million. $1 per employee for 250,000 employees is $250k per hour. Times 50 hours a week is $12.5million per week. Time 50 weeks a year is $625million per year. And once again, that doesn't include taxes or anything. With that said, your numbers are still WAYYY off!



- Joe

 

[CodeJingle]

This is getting old. The people trying to dig up dirt are really overdoing it. People will stop caring soon just because they'll get sick of it. In alot of other countries the age of 16 is the US equivalent of 18. Foxconn could stand for them not to work over 40 hours a week, that is about it.

 

[farmboy]

Good for you guys, but child labor isn't a contest to see who has the biggest c**k.

I'd rather see people at that age full-time in a classroom so that their future has a chance to be better. They have the rest of their lives to be a cog in the machine if they so choose.

Yes I feel all warm and fuzzy inside when an ignorant generation forgets the past and returns to it.

Yeah, the good ol' days...

[pointless photo]

Yeah, cuz children working in coal mines (assumed from your photo) is exactly the same as summer jobs, after school jobs, and working at Foxconn.

Way to insult generations (plural) of people who wanted to, or had to, work when they weren't in school. You're the one demonstrating ignorance. I don't know where or when you grew up, but in the Midwest most of us didn't get an allowance, and if we wanted spending money we had to earn it. Some of us had to help out our families. It wasn't a big deal: you went to school, after school you went to your job for a few hours, then went home, ate, and did your homework. Not exactly abusive.

Summer jobs you worked 8 hours and had evenings and weekends to yourself. Everyone did it. I'm sure you see that as a terrible Dickensian horror.

Maybe you just can't fathom a time when you weren't catered to.

Don't care about biggest c**k, but we can see who's the biggest ass.

 

[lev312]

Good thing Foxconn is doing this. I don't know for certain, but there cant be many more opportunities for these teenagers in China, at least they are given the chance to work. If the government or public opinion doesn't want them working then I would hope someone bends the rules to allow them to work, as long as they are payed at least fairly.

Its easy to say they should be in school as Americans, but if there are more people than jobs, your really just wasting time going to school unless your planning on receiving a career that takes a high level of education, something that China's economy and production is definitely not going to suport for the majority any time soon

 

[mrhasbean]

Today's news proudly brought to you by Google...

This is a non-story. The only reason anyone would even run this is to incite the unthinking media headline educated morons into more hate against Apple, who it seems are the only company that use Foxconn for their manufacturing.

I mean seriously - 16-17 year olds? My son started his apprenticeship as a chef when he was 16! Earning under (AUD) $7 / hour working in steaming hot kitchens for up to 12 hours a day - compare that on a purchasing power and conditions basis with what those 16-17 year olds are earning and you'll find they're making a BUTTLOAD more than he was in real dollar terms and working in much better conditions. My 15 year old daughter was waitressing over 30 hours a week during her Christmas school vacation this past summer.

Isn't it about time this click-fodder stopped?

 

[BiggAW]

I wish there was an option to buy Apple products that were 100% made in America by Union labor. I would choose that option for sure.

I wish that every package in the US has to use at least 20% of it's size to show the flag of the country it was made in, as well as mark whether the workers were union or not. I guarantee that US, union labor would go WAY up as people could easily choose products that were made that way.

 

[farmboy]

Wikipedia says between 250,000 and 300,000 workers at Foxconn in China-not one million so YOU have your numbers way off- and to say compared to US workers they are doing fine is ridiculous-they live like ants in cramped rooms-work like slaves at menial jobs and do not have all the benefits we have. To say I do not know how capitalism works is wrong-it's that Capitalism works wrong in my opinion. The workers should own that factory and split to money!

Wow. Cool. So are the workers going to obtain the financing to build that factory they work in, put in their life savings, go into debt with huge loan payments, develop or buy all the tooling, buy the raw materials, hustle up the clients willing to pay for what you say you can do, fund the salaries and raises for all the other employees, pay for the benefits, pay for the liability insurance, pay for medical, etc. Let's just say that's very, very rare anywhere on the planet.

So, no you still really don't understand capitalism. I'm guessing you're less than 30, because everyone is a socialist when they're young. After a while, you begin to understand how life works and you see that capitalism is the way to go.

 

[MonkeyBrainz]

How about sorting out our own backyard first... All the Botox'ed 8 years olds and bulimic teenage models. It's all forms of work!

Those shows and pageants really need to be permanently removed from existence.

 

[Swift]

She looks totally miserable.

iPhone girl is totally adorable.

Still, $1.78 an hour, not bad for a poor kid from the still impoverished countryside.

The thing is, China decided, under Deng, to develop a serious industrial capacity. They have it. We decided, under Reagan, that it was just fine to tear up ours and not rebuild it. Who needs an industrial capacity, when we can put bankers and Wall Street traders in their place? Oh. Wait a minute.

 

[Plutonius]

I wish there was an option to buy Apple products that were 100% made in America by Union labor. I would choose that option for sure.

I wish that every package in the US has to use at least 20% of it's size to show the flag of the country it was made in, as well as mark whether the workers were union or not. I guarantee that US, union labor would go WAY up as people could easily choose products that were made that way.

Not really. I trust the quality of something built by those Chinese workers more then union workers here . I have seen union workers in manufacturing and I'm not impressed.

 

[tdstom]

Typo city

Who wrote this post?

Full of typos.

"some cases forced school to sent their students to Foxconn"

Editor please?



Thomas

 

[donniedarko]

Having Disney do an expose on Foxconn is like Dick Cheney doing one on the environmental benefits of fracking and getting oil from Shale.

Bottom line is that that pay scale is ridiculous to us and those hours because we are all fat, well fed, and in the worst economy every have made Apple the largest company in a few fiscal perspective then any other comapny in the world.

They live in far worse squalor there then we know about, and working for Foxconn is a breakthrough job for many. What should scare people is as soon as Foxconn will start paying more these Chinese firms will start building manufacturing facilities like they are in Africa were they will work for even less and there is a wealth of people for the work force.

Funny how we polarize on Apple when if we looked at how most of our other wares are made its way worse. Go to Bali, or Nicaragua where many cotton items are made, Pakistan et al. This is the tip of the iceberg and only reason its getting shine is because its Apple. Nike in the 90's Apple now.

I think its a joke. How many of you are not going to buy your new machine when ML comes out and it wont run it because its graphics card wont rock it. iPhone 5. iPad 2S when it drops... dont see to many hands raised

 

[mrhasbean]

Here's a hint - go travel...

I worked a couple of the "Apple Demo Days" events at Best Buy when I was 16, giving demos of the then-new iMac computer in 1998. I was very proud to be a part of Apple and promoting products that were a passion of mine. Yes, I was only 16, but Apple paid me $100 a day for about a 5 hour shift. I think that's the big difference. $1.78 a day and 12+ hour shifts are inhumane for any form of work.

This argument drives me nuts. If the person was living in your country or my country, yes, $1.78 an hour would be inhumane. But guess what? THEY'RE NOT LIVING IN OUR COUNTRY! Do you have any idea what the cost of living is in China (or many other Asian countries for that matter)? Here's a clue. Eleven of us had a very nice two course + drinks breakfast at a little roadside restaurant for under $7 - not each, TOTAL. In Vietnam - where costs are very similar to China - many people earning VND5,000,000 ($250) a month still have plasma TV's in their homes! In Malaysia RM1000 a month (about $350) is a reasonable wage for an intern. IT'S ALL RELATIVE!!!

FFS, if you're going to comment on this stuff please get some education about it beforehand...