RSSApple Finds iPod Supplier Violated Work Code
By Ed Oswald | Published August 18, 2006, 1:30 PM
Apple said late Thursday that it had taken steps to address claims of worker abuse at one of its major manufacturers of the iPod music player, noting it found that the supplier was in compliance with most of Apple's Supplier Code of Conduct. However, Apple did say its investigation uncovered some troubling issues.
The Cupertino company mandates that its suppliers follow a set of rules "designed to safeguard human rights, worker health and safety, and the environment." Apple said it takes any violation of these policies very seriously. In the investigation, the company interviewed over 100 employees in a variety of positions with Foxconn, a major iPod supplier.
While it found no evidence of child or forced labor, the company did take issue with some of Foxconn's policies. It said that the pay structure was unnecessarily complex and difficult to understand, which violated the section of the Code that require clear policies for compensation. The supplier has since remedied the situation.
It also found that Foxconn's system of paying overtime manually was questionable, and that some employees were working more than the 60 hour per week maximum with one day off. Apple said it understood the company's need for overtime during certain periods, but its research found it to be "excessive."
Workers were generally happy with their jobs and workplace, Apple found. However, employees did complain about the lack of overtime during non-peak periods and transportation from off-campus dorms.
Additionally, Apple found rare occurrences of possible worker abuse. Two of the employees interviewed were disciplined by being made to stand at attention, which the company strongly objected to.
"Apple has a zero tolerance policy for any instance, isolated or not, of any treatment of workers that could be interpreted as harsh," it said, reporting that Foxconn had made changes to its management training program to convey this policy.
Finally, the company also said it found issues in three off-campus dormitories where employees were housed, supposedly on an interim basis. In some areas, several beds and lockers were in a single open space, which Apple called "too impersonal." To remedy this, Foxconn is building new on-campus housing.
In any case, the Cupertino company said it would always act proactively to remedy issues like working conditions when it sees it as appropriate. "Apple is committed to the highest standard of social responsibility in everything we do and will always take necessary action accordingly," it said in a statement.
"We are dedicated to ensuring that working conditions are safe and employees are treated with respect and dignity wherever Apple products are made," the company continued.
Eh, so sad for you !!!! LOL.
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|LOL.. Hey, i'm working in a China factory at this moment. This is completely NORMAL here. Foxconn's problem isn't anything new around here. Thats pretty much how it is in most factories. They are lucky to have a bunk and toilet. Most won't tell about the abuses or else they risk losing their job. If they do, there are millions lined for a position. People here are dying to work as long as they can. I guess you have to see it to believe it. Just so you know this is not only Apple.
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|I like the topic's subject on this one ... "Apple finds iPod supplier violated work code"
I read the same article on another news source, and it made it sound like this was an, "Oh well ... everybody in China deals with this type of thing and it's A-OK".
The sick thing is the article said, "Apple's research said that none of the workers were being made to work overtime involuntarily." Riiiiiiiight... Go to the country that works their workers till they die, works 5yo children to the bones, and all of that for a mere shilling a day?! This is also the place that beats and batters people for (sometimes) no good reason at all ... all because nobody can enforce anything since they're too scared their people will find out that Communism is a bunch of BS.
If those people complain about overtime, they'd be fired with no questions asked. That being said, if that job's the only thing keeping meager helpings of food on the table, NOBODY'S going to complain.
In any case, (since I've strayed from the topic a bit), kudos to betanews for making it not as gooshy sounding or poo-pooing the findings.
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|Just a few things to say...Who really cares? The iPod is a highly overrated product because of media sponsorship, when in reality it's a crap piece of engineering.
Will people just shutup about the iPod already?!
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|iPod hate seems to have formed into its own cult.
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|Umm... that has absolutely nothing to do with the article.
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|go sodomize yourself
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|You have NO idea what it is like to work in a Chinese factory.
Dormitory room. Means one room with 6-8 small cabinets on one side, 6-8 wooden bunks on the other. Many have no shower, you go once a week or so to the public shower in the town near your factory.
You work by the month. I know of no factory that is paying by the hour, just isn't the way. Piecework, perhaps.
It's nice of Apple to be concerned, but I'd bet dollars against donuts that there are a set of books for Apple, then the reality. Workers are never going to say "They don't pay me like that" because they would be told they will lose the job if they don't say what they are supposed to.
A better idea is to produce your product in a country that has actual labor laws and or unions.
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|at least on the surface this looks like good news. It's nice to see giant companies push their mass around to do something good.
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|Leave it up to the Asians to want overtime ^^ We rule.
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|im sure that feeling is not just limited to one demographic. If I worked there I would too, since they're most likely getting paid hourly. If it was salary I would out the door the second my s*** ended.
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|... What?
How exactly does an expectation of long working hours based on culture and history translate into racial promotion?
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