What is Digg?108 Comments
- dpower, on 10/12/2007, -4/+43I'll digg it anyway because this issue needs more exposure. Not just Apple mind you- everyone is doing it and it needs to stop.
- blaksaga, on 10/12/2007, -4/+39China has labor laws?
- ejm508, on 10/12/2007, -7/+23I'm a hardcore Apple fan too
And *because* I'm a huge fan of Apple, I actually find myself more concerned than I might otherwise...
So there's no need to be a self-righteous *****... - ndm007, on 10/12/2007, -9/+24You sir, are a douchebag.
- fifty50, on 10/12/2007, -2/+16I'm a self-admitted Apple fan—although the word "fanboy" should be going out of fashion any day now—but I won't deny that something ***** up was going on, and I'm not the kind of fan that says Apple does nothing wrong. Although this was a mistake from Foxconn and not Apple, it's still ***** up that this kind of stuff still goes on.
- cyfer2000, on 10/12/2007, -1/+15Foxconn also makes products for HP, DELL, IBM, Sony, Lenova... Where are those fanboys?
- dWhisper, on 10/12/2007, -2/+12The problem here is that it's not the "iPod factory" in question, it's the whole vendor, FoxConn that's guilty of this transgression. FoxConn is the largest component vendor for motherboard and system components out there, ranging from DIMM Sockets to Cables to full motherboards and parts. There's nothing to say that this isn't happening in those factories as well.
- cptspanky, on 10/12/2007, -1/+10DUH!
sorry, but this is just so painfully unsurprising. - Rickler, on 10/12/2007, -6/+15It's not "The National Enquirer" (the hollywood loser tabloid)
This is "The Inquirer"; the two are NOT the same. - right75, on 10/12/2007, -0/+9Yes:
"Work or be killed!" - subtillus, on 10/12/2007, -3/+11This is not surprising.
Corporations love working in China because nobody there cares about rule of law, the environment or human dignity.
I spent a few months in China recently, and I speak Chinese so I'm not some ignorant westerner. Anything outside of the family unit in China is unimportant. - theblooms, on 10/12/2007, -1/+8No wonder my Foxconn wireless NIC was so damn cheap!
- Quix, on 10/12/2007, -0/+7"where are the Apple fanboys now ???"
Probably reading another story, laughing about Dell fireball laptops likely built in the same factory as the iPod (or a factory just like it).
Keep on trollin'! - eklass, on 10/12/2007, -2/+8While this is a PR mess, the question comes up, did this happen because of pressure from Apple or Foxconn? If Apple simply needed more, and Foxconn said "OK" instead of admitting it couldn't handle it, then the fault falls on Foxconn.
If however, Foxconn, admitted it couldn't handle the load, and Apple told them to find a way, then the egg is on Apple's face. - xanik266, on 10/12/2007, -1/+6"for the amount of money they make on these overpriced glossy ceramic white status icons why can't they make them in the US?
What is so great about iPods anyway? Its just marketing and insecure people."
The same could be said about many different products. I believe the reason Chevy/Ford are failing is because it's overpriced and underperforming. True, the iPod may be overpriced, but I've tried other players, and have had worse experiences with them. - inactive, on 10/12/2007, -1/+5Microsoft tries to abolish slavery and Apple endorse it:
Microsoft battles slavery in Asia: http://www.webwereld.nl/articles/41617/microsoft-battles-slavery-in-asia.html - shteve, on 10/12/2007, -0/+4Not quite - the main reason for this is money. It is a lot cheaper to manufacture in China because employees there will work >12 hour days for low pay and less investment needs to be made for health & safety law etc. And we get the same quality (or better, as there's a lot of expertise there) as manufacturing in a Western country.
I work for a multinational manufacturing company - we import much of our standard stock from Chinese factories simply because we couldn't compete any other way. - inactive, on 10/12/2007, -0/+4Hey guys, this may be a little off-topic, but I'm curious about the validity of these TheInquirer.com articles. Is this a legit newsource, or is it like The Globe, National Inquirer, and other tabloids? Thanks.
- deleteYourslf, on 10/12/2007, -1/+5Don't worry, once they stop they'll just pass along the added cost of manufacturing onto the customer.
- inactive, on 10/12/2007, -0/+4Almost every single computer that I have owned, wether its a Dell, Compaq, Apple, or even back in the Tandy days has had some part made by Foxconn. From motherboards to ribbion cables, so its not just Apple that does this.
- pharekyz, on 10/12/2007, -2/+6This might sound insensitive, but this isnt really news. Chinese and overseas labor standards are often horrifying to us but to them its a way of life. Im not saying they dont deserve better, but anytime a big company gets a "Sweatshop" exposed we gasp like its shocking. Most companies outsource manufacture to overseas and most overseas places are similar to this.
Am i wrong here? - acAeris99, on 10/12/2007, -2/+5iPod factory actually broke the Chinese labor laws? They must have really been underpaying the workers to do that...the average chinese worker gets about 1000 rmb a month, so about $125/month. Along with the extra 80 hours of work per month, this is getting close to slave labor.
- dish, on 10/12/2007, -0/+3But somewhere on the Apple website you can find proclamations to the contrary. They lead you to believe that they hold there company to a higher standard are are more humane than what a company merely concerned with profits would be. This is how many justify the higher prices on some of there products.
- SgtBeavis, on 10/12/2007, -1/+4I've got an iPod and I admit that I really digg it. I was going to buy another one, but I think Jobs has enough money.
I think people need to start rethinking Apple's image that they are a good company that tries to do no harm. They are just like every other company in corporate America. They only care about the bottom line and their profit margins. - acAeris99, on 10/12/2007, -1/+4It's not really "a way of life" when the iPod factory broke China's labor laws.
- hotsoda, on 10/12/2007, -1/+3Nike uses sweatshops too.
- canonman, on 10/12/2007, -1/+3It is slave labor.
Slave labor is everywhere. As said by a member of the US Committee on International Relations: "if you don't see it, you're simply not looking hard enough."
It's bad enough in Ghana and Jourdan. Fortunately in such places, the US can actually have influence and currently has active efforts in freeing the millions of guest-workers raped of their passports and enslaved in factories worldwide.
China is a whole 'nother problem. From a memo on the July 14th hearing:
"Towards the end of the session (Starting at 3:04:40) Smith asks the Mr. Charles Kernagen, director of the National Labor Committee, why China is not on Tier 3 due to China's major problems with forced labor. Kernagen doesn't directly address the question but cites one factory that works from 7:30am to 4:30am (134hrs/week at 16.5 cents/hr) staffed by young women and mentions how the concept of a Union in China is non-existent. Ms. Sharon Cohn, Vice President of Interventions for International Justice Mission, adds they are often asked if they operate and China but says that due to the inability to secure government cooperation getting anything accomplished is highly unlikely and as a result activity in China is not part of any current effort. "
Furthermore in that hearing, a committee member said that the concept of a union in China has been so wiped out that when asked most people think it is a breakfast party.
Wake up world. Slavery didn't end with the Emancipation Proclamation.
If you want more info check out the yearly US TIP (Trafficking in Persons Report) and http://wwwc.house.gov/international_relations/afhear.htm for committee hearings (quotes taken from the June 14th, 2006 meeting) - carniv0re, on 10/12/2007, -7/+9Rickler:
Point still stands. The Inquirer's reporting is just as bad, i.e. the PS3 bandwidth issue that the Inquirer reported on from some guy on an airplane from some person they heard about was proven false. They're a joke. - gharding, on 10/12/2007, -1/+3Maybe not news, but it should still be publicized. While labor like this is acceptable in some countries (and mostly legal), that doesn't mean that it should be. If we can harshen labor laws in growing countries, we should. If that means a price hike for electronics, I'm fine with that. The US is one of the richest nations in the world.. we take so much for granted while other countries are working on getting food, water, shelter. If paying $600 for an iPod helps others have a better life, I'll buy one.
- vajra918, on 10/12/2007, -1/+3The other side of the story:
http://digg.com/apple/Foxconn_threatens_legal_action_over_iPod_sweatshop_report - chthonic, on 10/12/2007, -0/+2"Apparently it was forcing its employees to work about 80 extra hours each month.
It a land where labour rules are a little lax, even this is considered taking the Michael a bit. "
Apparently this was written in a land where editing is a little lax. - dkarlson, on 10/12/2007, -0/+2British slang confuses me.
- Purposeless, on 10/12/2007, -0/+2Corporations always behave in these ways. You have to really pressure them to not. Even then, something will slip under the radar. That's the nature of them. They are inherently destructive in many ways. Maximizing profits over the shortest possible term always leads to disaster. Time to revoke corporate charters, yes?
- angelp, on 10/12/2007, -0/+2Make sure you don't buy Dell, Sony, Compaq and all the other companies that use Foxconn too.
- angelp, on 10/12/2007, -0/+2I always find an alternate source to back up whatever the Inquirer posts. Not saying this story isn't true, but the Inquirer always seems so sensationalistic and flaky.
- ehmjay, on 10/12/2007, -0/+2Well this sucks...even though its not quite Apple who did it...it sucks. Bad joo joo. However, having said that I think kudos must be given for the fact that they have come out (by they iMean Foxconn) and admitted that they are doing this. Perhaps they will now change their ways...perhaps not.
All I know is that they are at least being a little LESS slimey by coming out and admitting it. - wired4u, on 10/12/2007, -3/+5dose any one else feel that the theinquirer is not a good source to trust for news? I would trust cnn or even msnbc but come on the theinquirer.net. I am not digging this untill a better source comes out.
- angelp, on 10/12/2007, -1/+3Well...it's a big deal on Digg because it's Apple. We know how much people on Digg love to put down Apple any chance they get.
- eugenef, on 10/12/2007, -0/+2what you actually thought they didn't use slave labor... everyone does it... must be ok? the clothes we wear to the tv's we watch and so forth, thats where our economy has pushed us. To a point where profit means so much, that we do it at human cost. We export our labor overseas, where their view on life somehow to the manufacturers is pointless. Maxmize your profits apple.... bastards!
- member57, on 10/12/2007, -0/+2When reading this I thought:
1. China has labor laws??!??
2. Since China does have labor laws, good God, how bad can it be if a company is breaking them....
3. China has labor laws??!??
4. Somebody didn't bribe the local offical enough.
5. China has labor laws??!?? - Endomorphic, on 10/12/2007, -0/+1The big issue here is wether or not we think its fair or reasonable to work like this. Historicallly you saw the same types of things around the industrial revolution, with the ensuing labour strife.
Although I agree with fair trade, the only way other countries will be able to compete in he near future is by following the same model as China, 80 hour workweeks and small salaries.. The only way this will change is if China is forced to allow free valuation of the yaun and labour rights.
Unfourtunately China holds the stick in the form of US treasury bills. They're lending you money to buy their stuff. The world is like addicts for junk. Sooner or later the pusher collects. - Inbal, on 10/12/2007, -0/+1You seem to just be annoying, but that is actually a really good idea.
- Inbal, on 10/12/2007, -0/+1I think paying the average salary of the country in subject or half of the western average salary - whichever is higher - is reasonable enough for the time being. Half of what a worker in the western world makes is still a fortune for them, and the western companies don't lose the advantage. Of course, the salaries have to rise until they will eventually be the same everywhere. Telling companies they can't use cheaper human resources is both naive and stupid for both sides.
- vajra918, on 10/12/2007, -1/+2All the Mobo's in my systems are foxconn... I wont be purchasing anything from them again.
EDIT: just noticed the validity of the article was called into question. can we get a 2nd source? - mandrakendmine, on 10/12/2007, -0/+1oh that's a fabulous idea. lets buy no products from china so no urban chinese wage laborers will have jobs. while we're at it, let's stop importing their agricultural products, too
- wetworx, on 10/12/2007, -0/+1LOL, he said "Breaking Chinese Labor Laws".
Too funny, that. Oh, wait! They must have laws against animal cruelty or the like, this must fall under treating your chattel well. - jasqwerty, on 10/12/2007, -0/+1Hilarious
- wetworx, on 10/12/2007, -0/+1, he said "Breaking Chinesse Labor Laws".
Too funny, that. - foxhoundadmin, on 10/12/2007, -0/+1and case, and power supply...
- inactive, on 10/12/2007, -0/+1In the race for the biggest pile of money MORE companies do this then you would ever believe. Outsourcing has become the standard for the money makers here in the states and how the outsource companies get the job done is not of concern most of the time as long as the job gets done cheaply. You can see this in everything from high profile clothiers and computer parts companies to Saturday morning cartoons. As long as making a cheap product for a large profit is the norm this is the way it will be. The in-ethical will always find a way to exploit the workers of the world. And BTW China is still one of those fascist style Communisms you know. You know what I mean? Where the rich are in charge and the poor are communists. Just so everyone knows... THAT IS NOT COMMUNISM.
-
Show 51 - 100 of 109 discussions
© Digg Inc. 2009
— Content created and posted by Digg users is