Log In | Register
Behind the sleek face of the iPad is an ugly backstory that has revealed once more the horrors of globalization. The buzz about Apple's sordid business practices is courtesy of the New York Times series on the iEconomy. In some ways it's well reported but adds little new to what critics of the Taiwan-based Foxconn, the world's largest electronics manufacturer, have been saying for years. The series' biggest impact may be discomfiting Apple fanatics who as they read the articles realize that the iPad they are holding is assembled from child labor, toxic shop floors, involuntary overtime, suicidal working conditions, and preventable accidents that kill and maim workers.
iEmpire: Apple's Sordid Business Practices Are Even Worse Than You Think | | AlterNet
Seeded on Thu Feb 9, 2012 9:18 AM EST
Article Source: AlterNet.org
- Enjoy this article? Help vote it up the 'Vine.
- Public Discussion (5)
It turns out the story is much worse. Researchers with the Hong Kong-based Students and Scholars Against Corporate Misbehavior (SACOM) say that legions of vocational and university students, some as young as 16, are forced to take months'-long “internships” in Foxconn’s mainland China factories assembling Apple products. The details of the internship program paint a far more disturbing picture than the Times does of how Foxconn, “the Chinese hell factory,” treats its workers, relying on public humiliation, military discipline, forced labor and physical abuse as management tools to hold down costs and extract maximum profits for Apple.
As someone who has been a fan of Apple for many years, I find this news personally distressing. Until Apple changes its ways, I cannot support them. And unless a lot of people join me, they never will change.
- 2 votes
#1 - Thu Feb 9, 2012 9:22 AM ESTExcellent question. I'm not really sure yet. I've been looking for an ethical phone provider and running into a number of issues. I am really NOT happy to have think about dealing with a completely different operating system and inferior set of products.
Actually, the Susan Komen ruckus has made me realize that I need to do a lot more research about how I spend my money. I was talking to a coworker about it. Buying local would be best, but failing that, I'll have to follow the money trail.
- 1 vote
I guess it was a bit of a trick question.
If you want a phone that even approximates what you're doing with your iPhone, you're pretty much out of luck.
With that said, I think the best thing anyone can do is remain informed, express concerns, and support companies who actually do take steps to drive change. (Even smalls steps.) No matter what anyone says, I find it hard to believe that change is going to be anything but a decades long crawl.
As of right now, it seems as though Apple really is doing more than most. (Which is precisely why Apple is in the spotlight.)
I don't see anything at all productive about boycott threats, though, if they only target one company, let alone the company doing more than any other company.
- 3 votes
Yes, I'm afraid my phone situation is going to get "dumber," but better that than me contributing to the cesspool.
Unfortunately, profit is far more important than ethics to shareholders at this point. I'm not sure if that can or will change, but I will definitely try to make a positive impact with my dollars. I hope it's not as exhausting/futile as I fear.
I wasn't issuing a boycott threat. I am simply saying that if I have a choice, I cannot give my money to a company that mistreats people. And since Apple's products are not as critical to me as my humanity, I won't be buying from them. I'm afraid that my research may keep me from a lot of products that I have enjoyed. So be it.
You're in Easy Mode. If you prefer, you can use XHTML Mode instead. |
As a new user, you may notice a few temporary content restrictions. Click here for more info.
