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Petition Apple : Worker's Rights in China

Discussion in 'General Chat' started by Rebecca, Jan 29, 2012.

  1. #1
    I received an email today, in part it said:



    Apple would probably be receptive to public opinion. I would like to see them improve worker's rights in China. There's a petition on Change.org, please sign it if you agree.


    Apple: Protect Workers Making iPhones in Chinese Factories




     
    Rebecca, Jan 29, 2012 IP
  2. digitalpoint

    digitalpoint Overlord of no one Staff

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    #2
    While I don't disagree that Apple should do what it can to protect foreign workers, it's also interesting to read the research the New York Times did for their article. Part of their research was soliciting comments from workers in China.

    http://thelede.blogs.nytimes.com/2012/01/25/chinese-readers-on-the-ieconomy/

    The interesting thing is people in China don't think it's Apple's problem, rather a problem with their own government. Some even go so far as to call Apple a philanthropist.
    Some interesting reading from the Chinese perspective.
     
    digitalpoint, Jan 29, 2012 IP
  3. Rebecca

    Rebecca Prominent Member

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    #3
    From your link:

    The comments from that specifically, were just an addition after the article was written. Reading the comments from that link, it appears you've picked the only one that is supportive of Apple. LOL. To clarify, I don't hold Apple completely responsible. What I am saying, is they do have the ability to influence working conditions in factories where they have their products made. I think they should.

    Recent news:

    .
     
    Rebecca, Jan 29, 2012 IP
  4. digitalpoint

    digitalpoint Overlord of no one Staff

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    #4
    Like I said, I don't think Apple should stop trying to protect it's "indirect" workers... but at the same time, it's really part of a bigger issue with the Chinese government more than anything. Maybe Apple can somehow push the Chinese government for changes, but probably not...
     
    digitalpoint, Jan 29, 2012 IP
  5. ceekeigh

    ceekeigh Peon

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    #5
    I don't think Apple has something to do with it. Their own government should regulate and implement rules when it comes to the working people.
     
    ceekeigh, Jan 29, 2012 IP
  6. awcguy

    awcguy Active Member

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    #6
    I Agree, its not an apple issue per say but something we need to understand about other societies around the world. I think that part of the appeal is that the labor is cheaper which then can drive the product prices down.

    If we can accept a hire price for our products, we can bring those jobs back to a European or Western country..
     
    awcguy, Jan 29, 2012 IP
  7. Rebecca

    Rebecca Prominent Member

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    #7
    Probably not. But at least they can look out for workers that make their product. Just because it's the right thing to do. If they aren't, public opinion matters. IKEA is an example. They have a factory in Virginia, and were treating American workers in a way they would probably never get away with in Sweden. They started getting negative press. Conditions are a little better now.
     
    Rebecca, Jan 29, 2012 IP
  8. Spoiltdiva

    Spoiltdiva Acclaimed Member

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    #8
    Apple CEO Tim Cook said that Apple is doing more inspections this month,and has opened up it's supply chain for independant evaluations by the "Fair Labour Association".
    It appears that all the negative press is having a positive impact........changes are coming.
     
    Spoiltdiva, Jan 29, 2012 IP
  9. MarTh-

    MarTh- Well-Known Member

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    #9
    This is old news and has been going on for years with Apple's tech development in China. While I'm not a fan of Apple they've been improving and monitoring work conditions there. They are just calling out Tim Cook because he's the new CEO and doesn't have the credibility Steve Jobs has yet.
     
    MarTh-, Jan 29, 2012 IP
  10. Rebecca

    Rebecca Prominent Member

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    #10
    Agreed. It is encouraging. :)

    They announced the monitoring by the Fair Labor Association after the recent bad press. I think a little pressure helps, and hopefully, we will see some real, meaningful changes as people continue to speak up.


    Here's a video uploaded, it was one year ago:

    [video=youtube;DUtT2ZZP4EA]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DUtT2ZZP4EA[/video]
     
    Last edited: Jan 29, 2012
    Rebecca, Jan 29, 2012 IP
  11. lifeplayer

    lifeplayer Notable Member

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    #11
    This was an old news, not only Foxconn Shen Zhen but also factory at other state in China
    Freaky speaking, apple is not the one shall take full responsible on this issue but Foxconn
    The End user/Final customer can only control on the quality of supplier chain, not the way they manage their work
     
    lifeplayer, Jan 30, 2012 IP
  12. MurrayRothbard

    MurrayRothbard Well-Known Member

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    #12
    You simply cannot expect a communist nation to institute fair labour practices.
     
    MurrayRothbard, Jan 30, 2012 IP
  13. awcguy

    awcguy Active Member

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    #13
    You cannot bring in logic to this argument - people are trying to increase there post count ya know!
     
    awcguy, Jan 30, 2012 IP
  14. Rebecca

    Rebecca Prominent Member

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    #14
    Actually, Apple can make stipulations about working conditions. A miniscule of research would have told you that.


    ^ Good for you, at least you admit the true reason you're posting in this thread! :rolleyes:
     
    Rebecca, Jan 30, 2012 IP
  15. Spoiltdiva

    Spoiltdiva Acclaimed Member

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    #15
    If you're going to attempt to come across as clever,at least learn to spell first.That should have been spelt "their" not "there".
     
    Spoiltdiva, Jan 30, 2012 IP
  16. awcguy

    awcguy Active Member

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    #16
    Like you care so much about workers in china to complain about my high level of American Education and clever .... was never a quality of mine.

    So many people TALK about issue but do nothing like choosing not to support them.. wait that would mean that you couldn't be trendy or fashionable.
     
    awcguy, Jan 30, 2012 IP
  17. Spoiltdiva

    Spoiltdiva Acclaimed Member

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    #17
    I refuse to engage in a batte of wits with an unarmed opponent.Having said that I respect your right to be wrong.
     
    Spoiltdiva, Jan 30, 2012 IP
  18. Rebecca

    Rebecca Prominent Member

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    #18
    I don't think you're an American. What helps give it away, is bragging about your "high level of American Education." LOL.

    Okay.

    Sign the petition!

    You're lost if you think people only care about other human beings to be "trendy or fashionable."

    :)
     
    Rebecca, Jan 30, 2012 IP
  19. awcguy

    awcguy Active Member

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    #19
    Thank you for respecting my rights - my wits couldn't take it... Your "battle" per say would just be too much for me...


    Oh Yeah - Rebecca - Signing a Petition does ZERO good! Ok!

    The Egyptians I think showed the World that still in this day and age.. you need to Fight for Change.. Big Corporations or Governments Rarely act on signing a paper. Maybe its just my simple poor american education misleading me.. but lets come back to this post in say 5 years and debate a petitions usefulness
     
    awcguy, Jan 31, 2012 IP
  20. Rebecca

    Rebecca Prominent Member

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    #20
    You're wrong. I think Apple cares about what their customers think.

    There have been reports of explosions, killing workers, over something so minor, as inadequate ventilation. Workers losing the use of their hands for the rest of their lives from amped-up carpal tunnel, simply because it's too inconvenient to have them rotate work tasks to avoid the excruciating repetition. The unprotected use of cheap chemicals causing neurological damage. Workers struggling, working insane long hours to make a meager living, in miserable conditions. Suicides. Attempted suicides. I doesn't have to be this way. I remember, didn't Apple say something about changing the world? Well, I think there are a few factories in China that need changing right now. They need to get on it. Apple cares about public opinion. It's over the top that workers making Apple products, have suffered to such an extent, all the while, Apple is reporting record breaking profits. And, if they don't, I suspect those profits will start going down.

    Apple says great things on their site about what they expect of suppliers. It would probably be a good idea for them to start aggressively enforcing these expectations.
     
    Rebecca, Jan 31, 2012 IP