Apple + Foxconn: New Developments

[Michael Hardner]

SAN FRANCISCO – Apple Inc and its main manufacturing contract Foxconn agreed to tackle violations of conditions among the 1.2 million workers assembling iPhones and iPads in a landmark decision that could change the way Western companies do business in China.

Taiwan’s Foxconn Technology Group, whose subsidiary Hon Hai Precision Industry assembles Apple devices in factories in China, will hire tens of thousands of new workers, eliminate illegal overtime, improve safety protocols and upgrade workers’ housing and other amenities.

It is a response to one of the largest investigations ever conducted of a U.S. company’s operations outside America. Apple had agreed to the probe by the independent Fair Labour Association (FLA) to stem a crescendo of criticism that its products were built on the backs of mistreated Chinese workers.

Vancouver Sun

It's a step forward, but not without controversy.

[GostHacked]

There have been problems at that facility for years now. Foxconn had to install nets around the buildings to prevent people from jumping off and committing suicide.

[Boges]

There have been problems at that facility for years now. Foxconn had to install nets around the buildings to prevent people from jumping off and committing suicide.

Didn't it come out that many of the reports about Foxconn have turned out to be false?

[Michael Hardner]

Didn't it come out that many of the reports about Foxconn have turned out to be false?

There was a recent piece that ran on NPR in the US by Mike Daisey, that contained falsehoods.