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After enduring weeks of criticism over the working conditions at the Chinese factories that make its products, Apple has asked the Fair Labor Association to look into the matter. The FLA will audits the plants where 90% of Apple products are assembled, including the embattled Foxconn factories in Shenzhen and Chengdu.
After assessing the conditions, the FLA will provide Apple with recommendations. Here’s how the audits will go down:
As part of its independent assessment, the FLA will interview thousands of employees about working and living conditions including health and safety, compensation, working hours and communication with management. The FLA’s team will inspect manufacturing areas, dormitories and other facilities, and will conduct an extensive review of documents related to procedures at all stages of employment.
Apple notes that it has conducted more than 500 audits of its own facilities since 2006, including 40 audits at Foxconn plants. [Apple]
It’s good to see Apple is taking a lead in this area, let’s hope those found guilt of exploiting cheap labourers will lose business or fix ways. One company on its own won’t make much difference though, I do hope othe manufacturers follow what apple is now doing.
If by taking the lead you mean ignoring the problem for years then when it hits global headlines claim it is exaggerated and then finally being forced to look into it because of a growing furore which might one day impact on their finely-honed public image, then yes, well done Apple.
Congratulations, you’re ignorant.
Would you care to state exactly what was ignorant about what was said? Certainly it was a very brief statement of the facts, but exactly how is that ignorant?
Cortez is ignorant because he chooses to ignore the hard work Apple has already put into ensuring people working on their products have had fair working conditions. Of all companies, one not shirking their responsibilities is Apple.
In addition to macmanns comment, it seems that the other manufacturers are doing jack shit about them.
Don’t use words you can’t define.
It will be interesting to see if Apple are willing to lower their profit margins on products to insure good working conditions for staff at their suppliers. But I doubt they will.