“Nightline has aired its report from Foxconn’s factories on ABC. In the report, host Bill Weir speaks directly to factory workers as well as their managers. You would think that this unprecedented’ look inside Apple factories would reveal much we didn’t know, but the show was relatively light on information. Weir did extensively survey the places where iPads and iPhones are constructed, spent time interviewing both employees and their families, and talked to FLA president Auret van Heerden, though he uncovered mostly familiar information.” Mind you, ABC is owned by Disney, which has close ties to Apple. Make of that what you will.
Mind you, ABC is owned by Disney, which has close ties to Apple. Make of that what you will.
It’s also one of the major industries of a country with a history of suppressing any disfavorable information about the country or government. The workers are there voluntarily, since it beats farming, and would likely prefer to keep their job (both from being fired for complaining, or laid-off if big companies take their business elsewhere). Plus, victims often defend exploitation, for a variety of reasons (“hard working” culture, tradition, comradery, feeling indebted, etc.).
IOW, I’m skeptical that everything is as these major companies say it is. And, if we make a mistake and demand improvement in China’s working conditions despite there not being any “problems”, I’m fine with that. It’s equally little problem for me if we do more manufacturing in America as a result. (Not as good for the Chinese, but my countrymen come first and I think it’s generally better to change our own ways rather than force other countries to change to better suit us.)
I think you’ll find there a bit more countries in America than just your own… conveniently, one of them already has Foxconn fab.
Generally, even without China, there’s plenty of locations where you can move labour camp factories, able to provide your countrymen with inexpensive consumer toys – things which very much suit you.
ABC can make a documentary about the one million robots Foxconn plans to employ over three years.
With all the billions of cash it has, Apple it is in a position to give Foxconn more money and force them to improve hours and pay.
But soon it won’t be needed anymore. Workers is being replaced with Robots.
This is our future. Almost humanless manufacturing and no social safety nets.
Edited 2012-02-23 00:23 UTC
it is a public relations piece.
What would be a nice documentary is one comparing the daily life of a Chinese Foxconn employee against one of a equivalent position from Foxconn factories in Brazil and Czech Republic. Including wages, benefits, work yours… and so.
Ok, let’s compare the “cost of living” and “work practices” in China and Western countries. Do you think china workers should be payed and treated by western standards? World is not ideal. African people are starving (because they don’t work I suppose). Asian people are up to any job, and they are used to work productively in bad conditions (from the view of western people)
Next day they aired follow up why icrap is not made in America… I never heard so many stupid arguments.
After watching it I had very strong feeling that they lied stating they were free to make this material
Seems they made nice apple propaganda video.