Foxconn removing nets, says ‘Love your life’
Apple’s iPhone assembly partner in China is giving new meaning to the phrase, “working without a net.” As the company tries to move beyond the suicide cluster that left at least 10 workers dead and its facilities draped in safety netting, we get to observe one of those uniquely Asian moments.
Bloomberg reports that Foxconn (a.k.a. Hon Hai) is taking down the netting that has surrounded the stairwells and open roof areas at its Chinese manufacturing facilities. This safety measure, as well as a legion of psychological counselors and Buddhist monks, was installed during a suicide cluster that felled at least 10 workers at the company’s Chinese manufacturing facilities.
“Following the series of tragic incidents involving its employees, Foxconn is organizing, together with the Foxconn Employee Labor Union, a cross-campus employee rally to promote a positive outlook and approach towards life,” said the Taipei-based company in a statement.
That said, Foxconn has ended the practice of giving families of suicides the equivalent of ten years salary. They’ve also doubled wages and improved social services.
Heartfelt surrealism
Additionally, around 20,000 workers are expected to gather at Foxconn’s Longhua, Southern China campus for an event titled “Treasure Your Life, Love Your Family, Care for Each Other to Build a Wonderful Future.” Another 30,000 or so will be gathering at other Foxconn locations in China, as well.
Imagine tens of thousands of young adults, all wearing the same uniform and shouting slogans (I wonder if Kool-Aid will be served)…
What’s your take?
Related Posts:
August 18th, 2010
What we forget that the US also went through this stage as well. Remember the Industrial revolution? US workers had to fight tooth and nail for better pay, wages and rights against the oligarts and leaders of America’s industry. No different what is happening to the factories of China today. Besides why point a judgmental finger at Foxxxcomm when it is we, the consumers who encourage this slave labor practice? We Americans want cheap iPods and computers, well we got it but this is the real cost.