Apple to directly boost Foxconn wages [u]
It’s known that Apple’s been investigating the circumstances of the Foxconn (a.k.a. Hon Hai) factory suicide cluster and that low wages are an issue. Now, as Foxconn increases welfare services, and puts up suicide netting to slow the jumpers down, Apple’s stepping up to increase wages.
A suicide cluster at Foxconn’s Chinese factories led Apple to investigate and the Cupertino, California-based Mac, iPod, iPhone and iPad maker is now apparently prepared to take action directly.
Zol.Com (Chinese, Google translation) reports that Apple will increase the amount it pays for each product assembled, from 2.3 percent to 3 percent of the final retail price. Thereupon, it’s believed that the additional money will go directly to workers themselves.
To date, a suicide cluster at Foxconn’s factories in China has resulted in the deaths of 13 people aged 19 to 25 years old.
The needs of the few…
There’s been a lot of back and forth over whether this many suicides among a population of 800,000 — the number of people who work at Foxconn’s factories — can be reckoned as some sort of normal. Further, both labor rights groups and company management have both attempted to play the press in the struggle for perception.
Obviously, that fight hasn’t played out well for Foxconn, though Apple has largely been spared.
[u] See also: Foxconn workers getting 33% wage boost [confirmed]
That said, with Foxconn stepping up its social welfare efforts and more money for workers already decided, troubles there likely will fade. However, I rather doubt the outlook for the tens of millions employed at other Chinese factories, which haven’t gotten much attention throughout this sad affair, isn’t quite so sanguine…
What’s your take?
via MicGadget
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December 31st, 2011
Apple has got to be one of the worst companies out there. They’re really good at PR and keeping people quiet, but they’re complete crooks and we allow them to get away with it. Their mobile devices retail at the prices of the most high-end phones to ever hit the market, as do their laptops and desktops and full desktops (we all know iMacs are just glorified laptops, considering the hardware).
They have a terrible track record with their underpaid workers and give little to no shits about their overseas behavior while still marketing themselves as a humanitarian, eco-friendly company. It’s all bullshit and they know it. Their products are ALWAYS overpriced and ALWAYS inferior to those within their indulgent price ranges.
People need to start voting with their wallets and get their shit together, because it should NOT be falling apart.