China: no suicide pledge

During the business trip in China, we couldn’t deny the commotion there was about the news about the Foxcon factory. Let's focus on that. Foxcon is the group that makes the iPad and iPod, both products are made in Chengdu and Shenzhen. To meet the increasing demand for the Apple products, workers have to work extra-long shifts

The problems about the bad working conditions have collapsed. Fourteen workers have committed suicide during the last 16 months, attempts not considered.

What is the problem at the factory?

The workers complain about the bad working conditions, the long shifts and the low wage.

In fact, the company doesn’t take the legal limit on working hours and overwork. According to some news articles 80 hours overtime a month is rather normal.

Workers complain about being humiliated, not being allowed to talk during work, having to sleep with 24 people in one room (workers live in dormitories), having only one day off after 13 working days, some only being allowed to go home once a year, .. And they only earn £ 5.20 a month

What has the company done to solve the problem? Well, they have put up netting outside worker dormitories buildings, they have brought monks to exorcise evil spirits, got new employees sign a no suicide pledge,..

Not that effective it seems to me.

As a reaction to the allegations, Foxcon declared that the extra work is been executed voluntary, they do encourage people not to talk during their work shifts (to ensure accuracy) and they cannot exclude humiliation because of the diverse workforce???

I don't understand those measures... Am I the only one who sees that people need more time off and need to see their family more often? People aren't made to work a lot and live in social isolation? Why Apple doesn’t do something about it? Apple has a code of conduct but when it isn't respected, nothing is done about it...
In my opinion, Apple should threaten to stop the contract. That should do the trick but off course, it might risk paying more to make its sought-after..

So far.. so bad. Let's hope something is done about this and quick!

Next week I'm having my last business trip before I'm coming home. I'm looking forward to that. I'm missing my little (and of course also my big) boy!

Kisses

Valerie