Foxconn Factory Worker Detained Over iPhone 6 Shell Leaks

[Col4bin]

The current Foxcon worker makes about 400 a month supposedly so if we doubled their wage to 800 or even tripled it to 1200 the cost of the iPhone might up 100 dollars (that is a high estimate).

It might be in Apples best incentive to raise their workers wages (it allows them to afford what they are making basically putting money back into the company, also many in China who are coming into middle class might see Apple as a loyal brand for their progressive take on workers rights/pay.

Unfortunately, these workers aren't Apple employees. They are Foxconn employees. Apple contracts with Foxconn to build their computers and iOS devices, and Apple has no control over Foxconn employee wages.

In addition to Apple products, Foxconn contracts with many other large tech companies. These same workers might also work on product lines for Google, Microsoft, Nintendo, Amazon, Motorola, Sony, Cisco, Dell, NOKIA, HP, Acer, etc…

(Source)
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Foxconn

 

[MacSince1990]

So, if someone steals 30K from a company in the US (probably the equivalent), you think someone should be all lenient because hey, he needed the money and the company is rich anyway? Man, what I am hearing here!!

He stole five iPhone rear shells. Out of I'm going to go with 200 million. The term "pennies" doesn't even properly illustrate how little a thing this is. Should he be fined? Probably. Should he go to jail for this? No.

 

[69650]

I hope he gets 50 years in prison. Thanks to leakers like him, it spoils the surprise for us.

You read a Mac rumours website and then complain about leaks spoiling the surprise? If you want to be surprised then don't read websites like this which are all about leaks and advance info.

 

[MacSince1990]

Unfortunately, these workers aren't Apple employees. They are Foxconn employees. Apple contracts with Foxconn to build their computers and iOS devices, and Apple has no control over Foxconn employee wages.

In addition to Apple products, Foxconn contracts with many other large tech companies. These same workers might also work on product lines for Google, Microsoft, Nintendo, Amazon, Motorola, Sony, Cisco, Dell, NOKIA, HP, Acer, etc…

(Source)
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Foxconn

This is very true.

----------

You read a Mac rumours website and then complain about leaks spoiling the surprise? If you want to be surprised then don't read websites like this which are all about leaks and advance info.

I'm.... assuming this guy was joking. I seriously hope so, for more than a few reasons..

 

[bbeagle]

This is a very good example of poor reasoning ability and a sort of basic lack of decency being put into practice.

Not at all.

Caught with 1 oz. marijuana in Colorado Apple Store: nothing
Caught with 1 oz. marijuana in Utah Apple Store: 1 year in jail and $2500 fine.

Are you going to complain to Apple if a guy gets caught in Utah?

 

[gnasher729]

If they paid more than 1$ per hour, and people didn't have to work like slaves, They wouldn't compromise their morals for 1000$... Well at least more of them...

Foxconn pays more than $1 per hour, and people don't have to work like slaves.

People compromise their morals because they don't have any. And because they are stupid and don't realise the risks (in this case jail and pretty bad chances for further employment for two months salary).

$960... that's about a year's salary.!

Nonsense.

 

[wlossw]

No one is forcing people to work at Foxconn. Spare us your melodrama.

I agree but low wages = low loyalty. No one is forcing people to work for crappy jobs in the states either... But it's not a recipe for a happy workforce...

 

[wiz329]

Its highly unlikely they would allow ANY worker to take a prototype outside of Apple. It would most likely be locked securely before and after working hours.

You're right, completely impossible.

Oh wait ... that's exactly what happened with the iPhone 4.

 

[2457282]

If devices like this were made in America, every component would have been uploaded to Instagram, with the employee holding it in a selfie.

I I could I would up-vote your comment a million times. It's so sadly true.

 

[donnaw]

The sad part is that what should be a petty crime (based on the true value of the stolen items) is now considered a huge crime just because Apple is so secretive about it's products. And why is that? So they can up the hype every year. Great marketing but it will cost this guy his job, and probably years in prison.

Sad statement on the world we live in.

Anyway, I hope everyone really enjoyed the pics of the shells he provided. He's going to pay a big price for you.

 

[gnasher729]

Foxconn employees 1 million workers in china. By increasing each worker's pay $100/month, the total increase per year will be $1.2 billion. Bear in mind foxconn is only responsible for assembling the iphone not making any of the core chips. Using apple's own prediction of 60 million units, the increase per phone is $20.

You will find that there are a few Foxconn workers who don't actually assemble iPhones. So the cost _per iPhone_ would be significantly less, unless you think Apple should pay raises for _all_ employees. On the other hand, raising the wages only for people building Apple products would result in a major revolt from all the other employees.

is that like 5 years wages in china?

You're off by a factor 30. Hope you don't need maths at your job.

 

[heisenberg123]

I hope he gets 50 years in prison. Thanks to leakers like him, it spoils the surprise for us.

you come to a rumor site with hopes of not having your surprised ruined....interdasting

 

[bbeagle]

The sad part is that what should be a petty crime (based on the true value of the stolen items) is now considered a huge crime just because Apple is so secretive about it's products. And why is that? So they can up the hype every year. Great marketing but it will cost this guy his job, and probably years in prison.

Chinese thieves stole items in an ONLINE game and got 2 years in prison.

http://www.gamespot.com/articles/thieves-going-to-jail-for-stealing-in-game-items/1100-6419443/

 

[Keirasplace]

He stole five iPhone rear shells. Out of I'm going to go with 200 million. The term "pennies" doesn't even properly illustrate how little a thing this is. Should he be fined? Probably. Should he go to jail for this? No.

He made 1000 dollars off it. That's how much they are really worth (you know, supply and demand). That's not petty cash. The BOM for the Iphone is $300 max, guess that's how much Apple should sell they them...

Since keeping their facility secure is part of the deal Foxcon has with manufacturers, there is also an extra potential damage to this theft that has to be accounted for. Foxcon cannot "let this go".

Better tell your employer right away that you don't mind stealing as long as YOU can put a low value on what you're taking. Low ball it and all's good...

 

[Col4bin]

Sooo.. you make about 2 /hour?

I doubt that.

C'mon, man. He obviously doesn't make $2 pr/hr. But based on country, manufacturing wages are roughly balanced across the globe. It may seem like a big difference in wages earned for a U.S. manufacturing job versus a similar manufacturing job in India for example, but the wages are adjusted per local economics, cost for living, etc.

(Source)
http://www.mn2020hindsight.org/view/graph-of-the-day-manufacturing-wages-around-the-world

It's like having the same job in California versus South Carolina. Your pay in California is going to be a lot higher than the same job in South Carolina, but your wages are adjusted based on local living expenses, economy, taxes, etc.

Simple economics, really.

 

[oneMadRssn]

This poor guy... Stealing is wrong but I'm pretty sure his consequence is going to be bad (and he may even /himself).... he *probably* only did it because of the lure of a few extra bucks... $960 may seem like little to us, but it's probably a LOT to a foxconn worker.

He bit the hand that feeds. I can sympathize, but surely he's aware that for every foxconn worker inside working, there are numerous outside the walls waiting to take their place. In that situation, one must be careful.

 

[kdarling]

Heck, Apple should reward the guy.

His thefts allowed fans time to get used to the design, before the official iPhone keynote.

Better to have gotten all the "OMG the lines are ugly!!" comments out of the way weeks beforehand.

 

[Keirasplace]

He stole five iPhone rear shells. Out of I'm going to go with 200 million. The term "pennies" doesn't even properly illustrate how little a thing this is. Should he be fined? Probably. Should he go to jail for this? No.

He sold them for $1000, that's how much they were really worth. Seriously, are you even arguing this?

 

[isoft7]

$960 costs this guy his cool job.

Hah... try again.

I assume you must be rather young.

Fact remains, these employees are practically slaves. They work outrageously long hours for incredibly low pay. Their work environments are little better than prison. Their freedoms are stripped from them and their lives perpetually in debted.

But, all so you and your friends can have a fancy new shiny iPhone... so I guess it's okay.

 

[LostMyiPhone]

There is no goddamn excuse. I'm tired of people excusing theft. The guy wasn't living off the street, he had a job and stole from his employer. This is bad for the reputation of Foxcon, they know it and they have to clamp down.

You do realize by coming to this very site you are supporting such behavior (almost encouraging it), don't you?

If this site and our unquenched thirst for leaked parts and every tidbit of Apple info we can get our hands on did not exist, this man would not have any more reason to steal iPhone parts to leak than a worker at a bread company has to leak the new Wonder bread packaging.

Please tell you in your angry rant you do see the situational hypocrisy/irony...

 

[MacModMachine]

They'll get others, they won't get everyone at once.



Amount of pay is not relevant to being a thief. It is in no way justification.

keep drinking the koolaid.

 

[isoft7]

Heck, Apple should reward the guy.

His thefts allowed fans time to get used to the design, before the official iPhone keynote.

Better to have gotten all the "OMG the lines are ugly!!" comments out of the way weeks beforehand.

Before release: "z0mg!!! Apple would NEVER release such an ugly piece of junk!!!" - MacRumors Forums Members

After release: "HOORAY!!! TIM COOK IS JESUS!!! WHAT AN INCREDIBLY INNOVATIVE PRODUCT!!!" - MacRumors Forums Members

...also, "Please buy more Apple products so my stocks will continue to go up in value." - MacRumors Forums Members

 

[BvizioN]

Out of the 1000000000000000000000000000 photos, they detain one guy?

They did not detain him for the 10000000000000000000000000 photos but for the rare shells that he stole! I guess stealing property is against the law.... even in America, no?

 

[yellowtruck]

Guess who placed the ad? Samsung!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

[Keirasplace]

keep drinking the koolaid.

Anyone using the word "koolaid" in a non ironic way should be banned from the Internet... That's how I feel. Be original, find another word.