Apple accused of ignoring labor abuses that can kill

[OhioChick]

1/26/2012 8:50:36 AM ET



The explosion ripped through Building A5 on a Friday evening last May, an eruption of fire and noise that twisted metal pipes as if they were discarded straws.

When workers in the cafeteria ran outside, they saw black smoke pouring from shattered windows. It came from the area where employees polished thousands of iPad cases a day.

Two people were killed immediately, and over a dozen others hurt. As the injured were rushed into ambulances, one in particular stood out. His features had been smeared by the blast, scrubbed by heat and violence until a mat of red and black had replaced his mouth and nose.

“Are you Lai Xiaodong’s father?” a caller asked when the phone rang at Mr. Lai’s childhood home. Six months earlier, the 22-year-old had moved to Chengdu, in southwest China, to become one of the millions of human cogs powering the largest, fastest and most sophisticated manufacturing system on earth. That system has made it possible for Apple and hundreds of other companies to build devices almost as quickly as they can be dreamed up.

More: http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/46143670/ns/business-us_business/?ocid=vt_fbmsn?gt1=43001#.TyGmavlBmt8

Quote: We've known about labor abuses in some factories for four years, and they're still going on,' former Apple executive says, 'Why? Because the system works for us'

[baldguy]

1. But their products are so stylish and easy to use!

[roguevalley]

9. all hail steve jobs, the god of something or other. I forget.

[patrice]

2. Apple "wealth" NEEEEEEEEEEEEDS Chinese poverty.

[tridim]

3. That highlighted quote is devastating.

New law must be drafted immediately, if not sooner.

I'd ask what they are waiting for, but I already know the answer. Slave labor makes billions for the interests Congress represents.

[onehandle]

4. A few companies who's products are made in the same factories as Apple's by the same workers:

Acer Inc.
Amazon.com
ASRock
Asus
Barnes & Noble
Cisco
Dell
EVGA Corporation
Hewlett-Packard
Intel
IBM
Lenovo
Logitech
Microsoft
MSI
Motorola
Netgear
Nintendo
Nokia
Panasonic
Philips
Samsung
Sharp
Sony Ericsson
Toshiba
Vizio

All electronics, be it in your computer, your phone, your car, or even your refrigerator, are overwhelmingly made in China, in the same factories that Apple uses.

Wish it was otherwise.

[OhioChick]

6. As I said in the past....

With the mark up on their products, they could easily manufacture them here and still turn a significant profit.


http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_topic&forum=102&topic_id=4415118

[ChromeFoundry]

7. Apple has the largest contract with Hon Hai (Foxconn)

Larger than ANY of the other companies that contract work with Foxconn.

They receive the greatest amount of profit from their dealings with Foxconn, more than ANY of the other companies you mentioned.

They are guilty of perpetuating these working conditions. True, the other companies shit stinks too... Apple just has way more of it!

Why must you constantly defend this companies bullshit? I mean really, every time it is brought up you are right there to defend their practices by pointing fingers at other companies by stating, "they do it too." Can you not understand that they are part of the problem? What they do hurts people. Do you love your electronic gadgets that much more than human life? Do you really think Apple cares equally about you?

[Atman]

5. "...That system has made it possible for Apple AND HUNDREDS OF OTHER COMPANIES to build devices..."

But Apple-bashing is SO fashionable these days.

[ChromeFoundry]

8. Apple and the other companies deserve bashing

They profit off of their contracts with a company run by a CEO that looks at his employees as animals...

'Managing One Million Animals Gives Me A Headache'
http://articles.businessinsider.com/2012-01-19/tech/30641922_1_foxconn-iphones-terry-gou

What is with all the people coming out of the woodwork to defend Apple these days?
They are part of the problem - You defending their actions is too! If everyone was outraged, Apple would put pressure on Foxconn, and Foxconn would change. Yes, it is THAT simple.

[roguevalley]

10. if this were an oil company I am sure it wouldn't be called bashing but something

more acceptable. Companies that make things that cause the death of workers are fuckers and so are their higher ups or is Jobs given a break because he made us sweet toys?

[Atman]

11. Not the point...

The article should be about Foxconn and the HUNDREDS OF OTHER COMPANIES that enable them to enslave workers in such terrible conditions. But once again, the article points solely to Apple. It's disingenuous and misleading.

.

[cbrer]

12. A person

Who eats meat, is on the same moral level as the butcher. We all (99%) own these products. It was an economic decision.As long as that continues, the factory conditions will too. So look in the mirror, and find the enabler.