MACsploitation: Chinese iPod workers' hours cut to a mere 60/week.

[Taxloss]

Apple Computer has said a report of labour conditions at its iPod plant in China found workers did more than 60 hours a week a third of the time.

Staff making the world's most popular MP3 player also worked more than six consecutive days 25% of the time.

Apple said the hours were "excessive" and said its supplier would now be enforcing a "normal" 60-hour week.

The California-based firm said its report found "no evidence of enforced labour" or use of child workers.

More:

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/technology/5262110.stm

(This story made me check how ethical my computer manufacturer, Hewlett Packard, is, and I was pleasantly surprised to see that it and Intel are the only computer firms in the Business Ethics top ten for 2004; 3 and 8 respectively.) http://www.business-ethics.com/chart_100_best_corporate_citizens_for_2004.htm

[Deja Q]

1. Thanks to HP firing Carly Fiorina, I can just about respect them again.

They still have problems, but I think they are improving...

[billbuckhead]

2. Didn't HP try to sell rebranded iPods?

[Taxloss]

4. Indeedy-do:

http://news.com.com/2100-7354-5137473.html

The experiment didn't last long.

[politicat]

3. Did you even read the report?

Obviously not, because Apple requires that their employees work no MORE than 60 hours per week, and will restrict overtime. They also pay overtime for anything over 40 hours and require their contractors to do the same.

Having been a worker who relished overtime and took it whenever it was offered (at least, back when I was an hourly worker; since I went salary, I try to get as much done as possible in as little time as possible) I have nothing but respect for employees who take overtime.

Read the report and stop spreading disinformation. It's at www.apple.com (first link on the page.)

[Taxloss]

5. Chinese workers were working more than 60 hours a week,

and their hours are now being brought into line with a 60-hour work week, as per Apple's policy.

Did you read the story, and the criticisms of Apple's audit from International Confederation of Free Trade Unions? Read that before accusing me of disinfo.