Apple This

Everybody has heard about the working conditions in Apple’s factories overseas, mainly with regard to Foxconn. Every so often the media will catch wind of people living and working in horrible conditions or killing themselves because of their job. However, Apple CEO Tim Cook is once again defending the company’s track record of improving work conditions at these facilities, noting that Apple has done more to address the problems than any other company.

In a recent statement from Cook on the subject during a recent investor conference, the CEO stated, “No one in our industry is doing more to improve working conditions than Apple.” This statement comes after growing criticism over the working conditions at factories used to build Apple products like the iPhone and iPad.

There was even a story published in the New York Times highlighting some of the poor conditions Chinese workers face. Activist groups SumofUs and Change.org delivered a total of 250,000 signed petitions calling for a more ethically built iPhone. However, the company is taking it all in stride with Apple allowing the Fair Labor Association to audit its Foxconn plants.

In addition to that, Apple has gone on the offensive in defending its actions. Supporters of Apple are also pointing out that rival companies, like HP and Dell, use the same manufacturing facilities.  Critics argue that since Apple is a leader in the industry, the company should lead in its call for better working conditions.

Cook also mentioned that Apple finds the use of child labor “abhorrent” and said that the practice is extremely rare in the company’s supply chain. It is a “top priority” for Apple to eliminate child labor all together, according to Cook, who also noted that a supplier who intentionally uses underage labor could be fired. “We don’t let anyone cut corners on safety,” he said.

Source: CNET – Cook: Apple’s improved working conditions more than anyone

Apple just recently released a new report detailing the progress of its suppliers in maintaining a set of higher standards in social responsibility. According to this latest report, Apple conducted audits on 127 facilities the company uses around the world. Of those 127 facilities, 97 were new facilities that have never been audited while 30 facilities were repeat audits. It is true that a lot of different consumer electronics companies around the world use these same companies, but over 40% of them stated that Apple was the first company to audit their facilities.

Probably the most publicized supplier for Apple is Foxconn. Foxconn gained media attention after a rash of worker suicides took place at the facility last year. This obviously didn’t sit well with Apple, so in order to address the situation, COO of Apple Tim Cook was joined by suicide prevention specialists for a visit to the factory which is headquartered in Taiwan.

According to Apple, its team worked with the management team at Foxconn in order to ensure measures were established to prevent further suicides. An independent review was also commissioned for Foxconn’s facility. Reviewers interviewed over 1,000 workers about their quality of life at Foxconn. According to Apple’s report, Foxconn had nothing to do with the independent study.

In addition to the audits on the facilities, Apple said that more than 300,000 workers and 6,000 supervisors have been trained over the last two years in worker’s rights, labor laws and safety among other topics. According to Apple, they have been “aggressive in helping underage workers return to their families and get back to school.” If any underage workers are found, Apple said it requires the supplier to pay for the education expenses, a living stipend and lost wages for six months or until the worker turns 16, whichever is longer.

Source: cnet News – Apple reports on Foxconn, supplier workplace standards

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