Inside Apple’s iFactory
Before clicking on the link below, take a moment and ask yourself a few questions. Look around. With certainty, how many of your most cherished possessions can you claim to know their precise origin? More specifically, do you know all the meticulous processes and the vast amount of people involved in the manufacturing of the very wonder you are reading from right now? Are you conscious of this every time your flip open its top? Beyond that, are we able to list any of the even most basic of composite materials that is essential to the creation of our laptops and phones and where they are gathered from around the world?
Having listened to the intellectual debate engaged in between the individuals of this class, I am certain that the above will not be misinterpreted as a form of unwarranted chastisement. The above is simply a demonstration as to how disconnected we, as well as the whole of modern western consumer base, has become to the very goods s/he depends upon in everyday life. That’s not to say we are entirely ignorant, for I would imagine that many of you were well aware that it is often the case that our technology comes at a price, or more explicitly, at the expense of the now hollowed lives of the lower Asiatic working class. Yet we all do a fairly decent job (including myself) of repressing the actualities of human blood and sweat that is lost whenever we click that button that ships to us the latest version of our iPhone 4s...now in black.
Foxconn Photos
http://abcnews.go.com/International/slideshow/inside-apples-factories-china-15750239
ABC Tours Foxconn
http://abcnews.go.com/International/trip-ifactory-nightline-unprecedented-glimpse-inside-apples-chinese/story?id=15748745&page=2#.T0RQoRzxCR1
Having read the article, we are now re-exposed and faced once more with the grim reality of the constant trading of humanity that occurs every day, even right now, in exchange for the perpetuation of the modern technological industrialized state and the materials and goods it produces and provides for us. There’s no need to reiterate what occurs in the article. Between the mechanical men filing logos, the robotically inspired work environment, the borderline confused and ill-informed attitudes of the workers, last-minute audits, countless past “incidents”, and suicide nets, I think it does a fairly good job of portraying what goes on at Foxcomm. With this in mind, consider any of the following questions.
1) Are you in support of Apple and their labor practices, or do you think them obligated to alter them?
2) Do you think Apple, including all businesses working with Foxconn, should reevaluate working with a company that disregards the humanity of their workers in favor of profits?
3) Why do you believe Apple’s CEO declined an interview with ABC after its reporters toured Foxcomm?
4) Do you believe the workers better off with or without their jobs at Foxcomm?
5) What do you think of so many Foxcomm employees committing suicide?
It's going to be a long day of guilt for me. I was just checking my iPhone for a message and I cringed a bit. Zhou Xiao Ying may have touched this phone, and now I know her.
ReplyDeleteThis is an amazing article, and chuck full of controversial issues. Please print it out, read it, make notes, and come to class prepared for a lively discussion.
Alli informed me that the links in my blog were broken. If you paste them into your URL however, they do work. Sorry for the inconvience.
ReplyDeleteI am not in support of Apple and their labor practices. I'll be very honest, I've been very ignorant to the fact that this is how it is. I feel like Apple has a great product, but they are obligated to change their labor practices. This definitely isn't good PR for their company because it will definitely alter their image. Many people will view their company as being unethical.
ReplyDeleteI am a very moral and ethical person. I am constantly thinking about the way I make others feel and how I can help others. For this reason, I do feel that companies should reconsider working with Foxconn. Yes, this is a way to achieve financial means for these people, but I also feel that every company has an ethical duty to their employees. I think companies with those ethical beliefs should make sure that the companies they work with carry the same ethical beliefs and if not, companies need to start acting out against these unethical practices.
I think that the CEO declined and interview because he knows how bad this makes Apple look. I think he knows that there is no way to deny that they knew this was going on. How can you even try to say that you had no idea what was going on? As the CEO, it is his responsibility to know what's going on with his company and if he doesn't that doesn't only make him look bad, but Apple as well.
I think all the workers would be better off without their jobs here. It is obvious that their well-being is at complete sacrafice to the point where some employees are killing themselves. Sometimes you have to assess certain situations and determine if they are really worth all the trouble that they are bringing. I would say that this job is not worth all the problems and is definitely lowering these people's quality of life. I would not want to live that way at all and I'm sure they wouldn't either.
I think that it is really sad that so many employees are committing suicide. It makes me feel really guilty that I own an ipod and a macbook because I feel like I am contributing to their unhealthiness. I feel that if America is a company that stands up for what's right we need to act out against this sad reality. Just because we aren't directly affected doesn't mean we aren't fueling the fire and I feel we have a duty to help those less fortunate.
1. After reading the article and looking at the picture I can definitely stand to say that I am not in support of Apple and their labor practices. Am I surprised though? I’m really not; it seems to be a growing trend with big name companies. Nike has put employees in the same working conditions if not worse, and as much as these companies say that they are going to learn from what is going wrong and work to improve working conditions overseas I don’t think there is a quick enough solution for these poor workers because laws don’t protect them like they do in the United States, which is sad and unfortunate.
ReplyDelete2) Absolutely 100%.
3) The only reason that I can come up with as to why Apple’s CEO denied an interview is because there are no words, no apologies that can replace the already awful conditions brought to the public’s attention. There is no excuse for it, and quite frankly as cowardly as it is to not speak on behalf of the company I once again am not surprised, because there is truly nothing that can be said to turn this situation around.
4) Clearly by the number of workers shown in the pictures, it’s a sad realization of how badly people will work for just 1.50 a day. It’s hard to say whether or not they will be better off with or without the job because who is to say that they could live without even the small amount of money it’s just a sad situation and I feel for all the employees and victims.
5) I think it’s terrible that so many of Foxcomm employees took their own lives while working for the company. I’m sure the conditions of the workplace and the silence with large groups of people would drive anyone crazy. I think it was pretty bold of Foxcomm to include the script of one of the company psychologists saying that there were many reasons why these suicides were occurring but I took from what she said that she underplayed the management issue at hand and blamed it more on the incoming of people who couldn’t adapt to society. I think that’s crazy especially coming from the mouth of an insider. I don’t understand how anyone could blame anything besides management for the conditions and mental state of employees of this company, and quite frankly after seeing this article I honestly felt bad unlocking my iPhone to read a text.
1) Are you in support of Apple and their labor practices, or do you think them obligated to alter them?
ReplyDeleteAfter reviewing the article I can conclude that the working conditions at Foxconn are unacceptable for modern society. Exploiting the average worker is unethical no matter how you swing it. Firms have an intrinsic moral obligation to contribute to society using just means through their employees. Apple, being as influential to society as it is, has even more of an obligation to produce its product with the best interest of employees in mind.
2) Do you think Apple, including all businesses working with Foxconn, should reevaluate working with a company that disregards the humanity of their workers in favor of profits?
I believe that the cost of changing suppliers and manufacturers would be detrimental to the firm and not economically relevant. However, the notion of renegotiating a contract with Foxcomm that includes ethical operations qualifications, is something that is more of a reality
3) Why do you believe Apple’s CEO declined an interview with ABC after its reporters toured Foxcomm?
Apple’s CEO was probably afraid of any negative questions that could spark more controversy for the firm. Perhaps the CEO was not prepared to make comments supporting the activities of Foxcomm and thought it would be inappropriate to either agree or disagree with Foxcoms actions. It would be a lose-lose” situation in that supporting Foxconn would give negative press for the public and supporting Foxcomm would be negative for the firm’s established partnerships.
4) Do you believe the workers better off with or without their jobs at Foxcomm?
I believe work is difficult to find all around the world and many Chinese see having a job as a blessing in of itself. However, Chinese working standards need some serious amendments to meet societal pressures and norms. If these workers were capable of finding another job right after leaving Foxcomm than yes I believe they would be better off.
5) What do you think of so many Foxcomm employees committing suicide?
There is obviously an institutional issue if there is a high suicide rate within the organization. The issue needs to be dealt with and examined via a third party. Any changes should reflect a decrease in the suicide rate (which intolerable to have in the first place).
1)Are you in support of Apple and their labor practices, or do you think them obligated to alter them?
ReplyDeleteI do not support Apple and their labor practices. I believe that if a company wants to have employees work long hours on their products they should treat them well instead of how they are being treated now.
2) Do you think Apple, including all businesses working with Foxconn, should reevaluate working with a company that disregards the humanity of their workers in favor of profits?
I do think that they should reevaluate working with Foxconn because of how they are treating the employees working for them. I believe that it looks bad on the company that is tied with them. Nothing from this is positive.
3) Why do you believe Apple’s CEO declined an interview with ABC after its reporters toured Foxcomm?
I would have to say the Apple’s CEO declined the interview because he doesn’t want to make it public that he knows what is going on behind the scenes and think that it is ok. He doesn’t want to make his company look bad.
4) Do you believe the workers better off with or without their jobs at Foxcomm?
It is hard to say because it is a job; they are getting paid and are able to provide for themselves and families. But with the poor conditions that they are in they would be better off not working for Foxconn because they might be able to find a better job that doesn’t had such poor working conditions.
5) What do you think of so many Foxcomm employees committing suicide?
I can believe it. It’s terrible to say but with how poor the conditions are makes sense. They are treated terribly and the employees would rather commit suicide rather than work for Foxconn.
1) Are you in support of Apple and their labor practices, or do you think them obligated to alter them?
ReplyDeleteI really am in disbelief that this is how apple performs as a company. They give off the perception that they are fair and ethical, this is disheartening to see that they are no better than a clothing company that operates a sweatshop. I won't lie that i love Apple's products, but this is an eye opener. I do not agree with their labor practices. I believe as any company should that they need to alter their practices to be fair and ethical for every employee.
2) Do you think Apple, including all businesses working with Foxconn, should reevaluate working with a company that disregards the humanity of their workers in favor of profits?
Yes, absolutely! Apple being an American company should have their companies both domestic or abroad, outsourced or in house to be following the same protocol that is set forth by the parent company, that be Apple. Ethics should always trump profit, this is a major problem facing companies worldwide.
3) Why do you believe Apple’s CEO declined an interview with ABC after its reporters toured Foxcomm?
I don't think Apple's CEO wants this to reflect badly on Apple, since it is solely within Foxcomm, he should address the issue and state Apple's plan to fix it.
4) Do you believe the workers better off with or without their jobs at Foxcomm?
That is a double edge sword of a question, these people want to be employed they need to make the money for their families. However, the situations they work in are not good. I don't know what would be better for them. Desperation makes people do undesirable things.
5) What do you think of so many Foxcomm employees committing suicide?
Clearly they are overworked, and need their way out, it must be easier than quitting.
1. I am very surprised at how Apple treats its employees. I among many others thought that because of their very well known reputation and good quality of products that they would also treat the employees like this. I guess I was very wrong to think that. I think that if more people were to know of this it would affect Apples repution and products, I feel that there is an obligation there to alter this.
ReplyDelete2. I think these companies should most deffinatley be reevaluated. All companies should go by the same rules, and as such a popular brand and company these rules and regulations should fit the needs of all of their employees.
3. I do beleive this, Apple obviously does not want to look bad as a company. I think that the CEO needs to step up to the plate and take care of the situation before it becomes a bigger problem for them.
4. I think that this question depends on each employee. Some people are going to need that job no matter what, so their obviously not going to leave. However if people feel that they are being treated badly it may be in their best interest from them to leave.
5. This scares me, the fact that people are killing themselves over a job means that there are many problems within this company that need to be looked at and adressed imediately.
1. I don’t support apple at all. The employees are working to many hours
ReplyDelete2. Yes the should have reevaluate working with foxconn because how poorly they are treating there employees.
3. I think he declined the interview because he noes this is wrong and doesn’t want the company to look bad for what’s going on behind closed doors
4. it could go either way it could be a good thing or a bad thing. The bottom line is people need to feed themselves and there loved ones and if they are working in a poor work environment they will find a better job somewhere else
5. I think its crazy they should have never gotten it that out of control. They should have realized how poorly they were treating there employees and did something about it before this all happened
1) I don't support Apple's labor practices and I don't think anyone in America would. The issue does not lie with how I feel about the situation however, it depends on the labor laws in China. I do believe that Apple should take the high road and make the conditions fair however, China has different labor laws than the US and what is happening there is standard practice. So as long as China has limited labor laws companies are going to continue to use Chinese labor to get more products faster and for less money.
ReplyDelete2) I do believe that Apple and any other American companies that may be working with Foxconn should reevaluate their business agreements to influence Foxconn to change their ways. They could set a good example that could influence American companies to bring manufacturing back to America and offer more jobs for our citizens. Maybe if they do stop working with Foxconn and other companies who have the same methods China will develop labor laws. However, I doubt that they are going to stop working with Foxconn because they are cutting their labor costs and manufacturing costs by using the company.
3) I believe that Apple's CEO declined an interview because he knows what his company is doing is seen as unethical and bad practice so he doesn't want to deal with the backlash that would occur from having to answer questions about where his company outsources its manufacturing jobs. He would essentially be put in front of the public answering questions that he knows no one will approve of the answers.
4) Considering the fact that the only ways the workers are going to do any better are by moving somewhere with labor laws or by moving up in the company to a position that wasn't manufacturing. But I do believe that the worker are better off without the jobs because their living standards would not be negatively influenced by their jobs.
5) I think that it is terrible that workers are driven to the point that they choose suicide to end their pains.
1. I am not in support of Apple at all, and it is up to them to change their labor practices.
ReplyDelete2. Yes they should.
3. He doesn't want to face the truth. There is no explanation to why this is going on. At the end of the day its all about making money and thats what he is doing so it doesnt matter to him how the products are being made.
4. They are better with their jobs, because that may be the only income they have. Every situation is different, and this seems that this is their only means of income.
5. I think these workers are already depressed and cannot take the pain anymore.
1) Are you in support of Apple and their labor practices, or do you think them obligated to alter them?
ReplyDeleteWell, here it goes. While I am not going to send apple my praise for being a great company to work for...I'm not terribly upset by their practices. These are factory jobs, which according to the young man interviewed on page six of the article was paying about 14% above minimum wage in Shenzen. Granted this is hard work granted that it's a tough time for jobs...Apple is pursuing production from a company that is employing of-age-workers at more than the minimum wage in a country where labor is cheap. Also offering them a modest living situation at only 6% of their monthly salary.
2) Do you think Apple, including all businesses working with Foxconn, should reevaluate working with a company that disregards the humanity of their workers in favor of profits?
I think that this article shows that they have been reviewing their suppliers' practices and treatment of workers...maybe not as much as all of us would like. I think that possibly offering counseling would have been a more sensitive solution than putting up nets around the dorm buildings.
3) Why do you believe Apple’s CEO declined an interview with ABC after its reporters toured Foxcomm?
I'm not sure why he didn't. I would assume that he is afraid of facing tough questions about whats going on here, but whether he is afraid or not, it was definitely not a wise decision to decline. "No Comment" often = "I'm guilty" in the court of public opinion.
4) Do you believe the workers better off with or without their jobs at Foxcomm?
Many of Chinese workers in these large cities are there because of the lack of potential employment in the rural towns and farming communities that they have grown up in. I think that their lives are difficult, but they are better off having a job where they can send money to their families, than not having a job at all.
5) What do you think of so many Foxcomm employees committing suicide?
I'm not sure. I'm positive that they must all have had individual reasons. But, I would think that this type of environment where they perform repetitive and monotonous tasks are not ideal for someone with any type of mental issues, depression, or disorders. I'm curious to find out what the suicide rate is for the rest of China.
-No, I am never in support of those sort of labor practices, they are not right and they should really be further looked at. There are a lot of labor issues that happen around the world and there has to be some sort of balance. We need to have better control of making sure things like this are not happening. Yes it is more efficient and better for businesses to use these practices but at the same time they have to see it from the other side and realize what they are doing to people.
ReplyDelete-Absolutely they should really look into companies like this, it is not fair to the people and it is not fair to be using people in this way to better your business. It is not a good look for your business knowing that you support a company like Foxconn and moving forward it would be a better PR move to stand up against it.
-It is obvious that the CEO did not want to hurt his reputation with the public, and he did not want to confront the reporters after. This is not a good move and will actually hurt his reputation either way, the more this comes out and the more aware people get of what is going on the more it will hurt the reputation of those companies involved.
-I believe there is a point in your life you need to realize that your life is much more important than money. As bad as the economy is and as much as you might need to support yourself and or your family you have to see what is more important. They should not keep working for this company, it’s worth it to take time off and find a job that will be better off for you and your family.
-I would have to agree with everyone really, it is a sad and awful thing to hear. You don’t always realize what you have and how good you really have it until you hear things like this. There has to be something to get done and make sure things do not accelerate to this point.
I am absolutely not in support of any labor practice that causes a civilian to jump to his/her death. Although the demand for Apple products is ever-increasing, I do not believe it was Apple that was responsible for the implementation of Foxconn's labor practices. Rather, I believe these labor practices are a direct result of the Chinese culture. The Chinese are a masculine society, meaning they are success-oriented and driven. They are also a collectivist society, meaning they act in the interest of their respective group rather than themselves (in this case, they are acting in the interest of Foxconn). Lastly, there is substantial power distance in Chinese society, particularly in the workplace. Workers "know their role" as subordinates, and obey the orders of their superiors, which is evident in reading the article. Although the Chinese culture is focused on drive and performance, we can assume that these factors are elevated significantly in a facility producing such high-demand items.
ReplyDeleteApple, as well as all businesses, should re-evaluate working with ANY company that disregards the humanity of its workers. Although the Chinese culture has a substantial impact on how facilities operate, I believe the individuals responsible for oversight in these facilities should adopt a business practice increasingly common in the U.S.: cater to the stakeholders! By ensuring that employee needs are met, they are keeping employees happy. In the end, this results in a stable and productive work environment.
I am not entirely sure why the CEO of Apple declined an interview with ABC. Whether he was aware of Foxconn's labor practices or not, it would have been in his best interest to publicly address the issue. By declining an interview, he is undoubtedly leading many people to believe that he was, in fact, involved in the situation at hand.
I believe that if the conditions at the Foxconn facility were to change, and management began to properly address stakeholder (employee) needs, the situation would be different. However, as I stated earlier, I strongly believe these conditions are a direct result of the Chinese cultural values of drive and obedience.
To go along with my response to question #2: http://www.businessweek.com/debateroom/archives/2012/02/employee_happiness_matters_more_than_you_think.html
Delete1) Are you in support of Apple and their labor practices, or do you think them obligated to alter them?
ReplyDeleteNo, I am not in any way in support of Apple's labor practices. I believe that they have definitely turned their cheek for far too long to the working conditions in China(Foxconn). It is a pretty strong statement when these employees are committing suicide, on top of all of the other disturbing information about these labor conditions. Whether or not it is directly Apple employing these people, or Foxconn...they are making products for Apple and that just gives Apple a bad ethical image.
2) Do you think Apple, including all businesses working with Foxconn, should reevaluate working with a company that disregards the humanity of their workers in favor of profits?
Absolutely. They should not have any ties to a company that treats their employees this way. I think that they should get over the fact that they get cheap production and pull out of business with Foxconn and put them on the edge of closing. This way if they realize that they do not have any companies (Dell, Apple, Hp) to do business with then they will have no choice than to improve their practices. The sad part is I'm sure Foxconn is not the only place in China with these disgusting labor practices.
3) Why do you believe Apple’s CEO declined an interview with ABC after its reporters toured Foxcomm?
I believe that Apple's CEO declined an interview with ABC after they toured Foxcomm because he knows what they saw and would know what type of questions would be coming at him. He probably knew that none of them would put the company in a good light and that he would have to find some way to sugarcoat doing business with Foxconn, which is nearly impossible. There is no way to sugarcoat or make it sound okay in an interview. It just isn't okay.
4) Do you believe the workers better off with or without their jobs at Foxcomm?
This is a tough question. In the interview with a few of the employees they were so excited to hear that they were raising their wages to 25 cents an hour. I don't know what is normal in China, but this sounds pretty desperate to me. In the end I would have to say that they are better off with out these jobs because even though they may not have money to survive, they might not have a life in which to survive at all if they work there.
5) What do you think of so many Foxcomm employees committing suicide?
I think it can be said that if these people have to live their lives running to get hired at Foxconn to get paid .25 cents an hour, that their quality of life may not be any type of living condition someone would want to be in. I think that these people might already have situational/clinical depression/mental disorders and working at Foxconn could have definitely been one of the leading factors for their suicide.
After reading the article and watching some videos on this topic I believe that Apples labor practices are inadequate. However to their defense they are creating tons of jobs. These days being socially responsible doesn't just mean donating money to charities, but it’s about creating shared value, meaning paying and treating your employees the right way.
ReplyDeleteApple in this case fails to achieve this however with over 400 000 people working in this factories most of them are treated like robots and I don’t see that changing any time soon. This is what keeps profit margins high.
I think they should not stop working with them, but as a huge buyer which leads to bargaining power, apple could force Foxconn to improve its labor practices.
Although Apple had let them come and see the factories, they had not expected this to go the wrong way. The CEO was probably warned that if he is not ready to answer all these questions he should not talk to the public. This is a good example of poor Crisis management, which is disappointing coming from a multinational like Apple.
There is an interesting video on YouTube of Steve Jobs answering some questions about this topic. He does confront the masses and seems pretty devoted to this procedure. He also emphasizes how the suicide rate in these factories is lower than the ones in the US.
So for the last two questions: I believe that these people need those jobs they come from poor villages and have no other options. The suicides although pretty sad that this is happening are common, especially considering the type of jobs and backgrounds most of these employees come from.