If you've got an early
Apple iPad, chances are its screen was cleaned with a banned substance called n-hexane, which releases a toxic nerve gas upon use. 2,000 workers at Wintek's East China LCD plant
went on strike in January, claiming the substance was poisoning them, and now 44 of those reportedly affected are planning to sue. According to reports, the screen cleaner was originally used because it performed better than alcohol, but Wintek has since fired the factory manager who suggested n-hexane and discontinued its use. That didn't keep 62 workers from winding up in the hospital, however.
The Guardian interviewed two hospitalized workers last week, and you'll find their stories at our more coverage link below. We're sure you'll agree these
Chinese labor violations are getting out of hand -- let's hope this lawsuit spurs government and industry to do something concrete about worker abuse.
posted May 15th 2010 4:04PM
I'm truly sorry for the chinese workers who are underpaid and have to work like 12h a day, just to make an iPad for me. :(
@Vincent If you were 'truly' sorry...wouldn't you return the iPad and demand better of Apple (or any other firm)?
@kspraydad I would if I could but can't.
@Vincent Well that place looks like a friggan prison!
@werty1432k
Yeah but look how clean the windows are.
Nerve gas...ack ack... eyes get veiny and bulge out of head like in Johnny Quest. They used nerve gas a lot in that.
@Vincent
well, that's really not much. Cuz in the company who manufactors iphone for apple, theres been 11people who has committed suicide by jumping off the building. And 9 of them succeeded.
@Someguyperson
Too busy dying to sue. Lazy bums.
@Vincent LET ME BE STEVE JOBS "YOU NEED N-HEXANE"
I feel sorry that Apple is taking advantage of these people. Apple cold care less, just as long as they can sell their over priced garbage.
YOU DO KNOW THAT THE IPAD WAS A MARKETING SCHEME TO SEE HOW MUCH CONSUMERS ARE WILLING TO SPEND FOR HOW LITTLE PRODUCT. AND ALL YOU FOOLS BOUGHT INTO IT.
@Vincent Didn't we have recent reports that suggest Apple are using child as well to its bidding? Reactions. http://j.mp/apple-child-labor-phone
@lisaperts
SOURCECHECK: http://www.engadget.com/2010/02/27/apple-supplier-audit-reveals-sub-minimum-wage-pay-and-records-of/
Apple did audit their supplier and discover child labor and minimum wage restrictions they themselves had set were broken, and they were PISSED. Just read that article, all the way to the end (like the last 2-3 sentences).
For those too... preoccupied (*cough*lazy*cough*)- Apple is one of the ONLY ones to even bother checking for this, and then doing something when they find out to stop it. Seriously, people. Check. Your. Sources.
中国社会问题。。富士康也是问题之一。。
不然不会有人进入丑闻不断的富士康的！！
@Vincent
"my eyes...the goggles do nothing for my eyes!"
on a lighter note, this is truly disgusting. it saddens me to think of the repercussions for technophilia...i wonder how much macro & micro-economics would suffer if certain companies were boycotted. but its even more sad that no matter how overworked/underpaid these fellow brothers are, social status by merchandise here in the states will always outweigh human decency.
*after long deliberation* i will not purchase any electronic device for the next 365 days. there goes my project natal :-( but oh well...for the good of the cause!
@Someguyperson
Dying?
You would think stuff like this wouldn't happen in the 21st century... Hope they get compensation.
@Esat Dedezade
It's China. The entire country is 2 centuries behind socially.
@Esat Dedezade
If it's not china,then it'll be india. If not them,then it'll be Pakistan. So long as the western worlds voracious appetite for consumer goods at cheaper prices is not saitiated, then there will always be a developing nation who will step up to the cheap labor plate.
With things becoming obsolete almost as quickly as they're made, this thirst will never be quenched. Technology and mostly civilization was made on the backs of the less fortunate.
@DoctarPeppar Has nothing to do with it just being China, and it's certainly not 2 centuries behind because similar things happened here in the U.S. only a little while ago. Stuff like chemicals used in microwave popcorn wreaked havoc on the lungs of workers in the factories that make microwave popcorn not to mention these consumers:
http://abcnews.go.com/GMA/OnCall/story?id=3565670&page=1
http://health.msn.com/nutrition/articlepage.aspx?cp-documentid=100170446>1=31036
Google popcorn worker's lung if you care to know more.
And it seems like everyone has forgotten that just 30 years ago American chemical plants FORCED their female workers to undergo STERILIZATION because they didn't feel like actually making the plants safe:
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/12336913
Yes, forcing people to choose between their income or their ability to have children. That wasn't 2 centuries ago, it was 3 decades ago.
If you think companies abusing workers is strictly a Chinese phenomenon you're just ignorant. Just because you bury your head in the sand when you eat popcorn or buy shampoo doesn't mean that lots of really sh*tty things haven't been done to the people who made those products. Thankfully the regulators and journalists here have put pressure on the companies to stop this kind of thing (which is why Breck-which used to be one of the most popular shampoos in the United States is no longer sold here...I was shocked to see it when I went on vacation but I guess people in other countries don't remember the association with forced sterilization of the people making the shampoo). It sounds like the media in China is covering this, and the best we can hope is that the regulators there will get more power to stop this kind of crap from happening.
BTW, the irony of all this is that we'd probably see it happen more in the U.S. still if it weren't for the fact that we basically outsourced all the really dangerous work to these other countries, so now their people are suffering for it. It's not just China, American (and non-American) companies have a track record of worker abuses in just about every country they've ever gone to and they basically turn a blind eye because the profits are better. Sometimes they'll pretend like they don't know about the abuses even if they know exactly how bad conditions are. I'm sure Apple just liked how shiny and clean their screens were-do you think they bothered to ask how they got so freakishly clean and perfect?
And it kind of amazes me that there's so little on the internet about what went down with American Cyanamid and it's forced sterilization policies when it was a pretty damned big deal that wrecked the sales of what was a best-selling shampoo brand. I can barely find more than articles like this: http://news.google.com/newspapers?nid=1926&dat=19791010&id=G1srAAAAIBAJ&sjid=dNkEAAAAIBAJ&pg=2297,708838
The downside to the internet is that sometimes it's hard to find information on things that occurred before the internet was around, but it doesn't mean that we should all be ignorant of the past just because it doesn't easily show up on the internet. Also of note? They got a whopping $10,000 fine for forcing your employees to undergo sterilization.
@tekdemon
Woah, a three-fer.
Moar?
@Esat Dedezade Unbelievable! No wait...it is believable, unfortunately.
@tekdemon say it slowly, O.S.H.A. .... ding ding ding
Remember when Knight was held responsible in the media for Nike's conditions in their factories?
Remember with K L Griffiths was held responsible for the conditions in the factories that made clothes under her labels name?
Remember how Jesus Jobs will continue to skate by with nothing sticking?
@kspraydad
Jesus Jobs? There's nobody named Jesu-oh, I see what you did there. Ahah, ha, ha, hee, hee, ha... Yeah, no.
Apple just buys parts from these guys. Despite that, Apple is practically the only computer company which DOES investigate their suppliers, and has standards for them to live up to regarding employees/treatment:
See here- http://www.engadget.com/2010/02/27/apple-supplier-audit-reveals-sub-minimum-wage-pay-and-records-of/
I'm happy to pay more for an Apple product if it means they aren't reaping the benefits of underage and sub-minimum wage paid employees in China and other less developed countries. Am I saying that their prices are completely justified? Hell no. However, they are one of the few actually putting an effort into this area where they don't really have to, which is a very good thing.
@Mmmm Donuts The IT and cellphone industries are one of the worst industries actually according to latest figures from Greenpeace. I'm sry but that's a load of crap that Apple is one of few controlling their suppliers. But hey if that gives a satisfying excuse to support Apples cause than by all means. I just you google up the term Corporate Social Responsibility - every Global company is required to follow some standards. I'm a grad in the field and you'll might shocked to hear this Nokia and SonyEricsson are The top most "green" companies when it comes to global impact on resources and have the tuffest requirements in choosing production factories. Amongst the worst are Nintendo, Microsoft, Lenovo and Fujitsu (2010) I'd be happy to send you some of my papers on the subject.
I'd like to remind you all and thank Engadget for bringing this up - it creates awareness amongst all of us consumers. Corporate Social Responsobility is not some PR like Apple been promoting with how they choose suppliers - it's by acting and being a good example.
@Mmmm Donuts
At least apple and other companies don't have to show for anything that isn't publicly announced or leaked to the media. If conditions were than it's merely public relations just for damage control. Why didn't they investigate earlier until the news leaked? Also why do companies outsource anyway to companies for lowest bid instead of to companies who are most responsible, prudent and cost effective (not meaning cheap)? All companies will try to find some way to lower cost and in the end it's the worker who suffer from new processes or hazardous substances used to improve the speed or volume of manufacturing.
@Gutsy Gibbons ("I'm a grad in the field and you'll might shocked to hear this Nokia and SonyEricsson are The top most "green" companies when it comes to global impact on resources and have the tuffest requirements in choosing production factories. ")
People aren't green you dumbass. Nice try, but the wrong 'field' (I assume you're getting your degree in "HowToLookAtGreenPeace'sWebsiteology"? luls).
Natural things that are fine for the environment can kill people just as easily as non-green practices.
AND @xconan (Why didn't they investigate earlier until the news leaked?)
The news wasn't 'leaked', it was straight from a check-up BY Apple on how well employees were being treated. Since it is plain that neither of you took the time to actually read that article: "most of the 102 audited manufacturers said Cupertino was the ONLY vendor to perform such rigorous compliance checks."
As in, yes, Apple IS doing something unique towards treating human beings better (who remain, for the most part, not 'green' Gutsy) in these factories (which, by the by, are neither owned nor operated by Apple, who is simply a customer of theirs- along with many other companies such as Nokia!). I'm not glorifying them in all that they do, but discrediting them for one of the few things they're doing right is going to end up making things a lot worse for people in these harsh living/working conditions.
We should be demanding all the companies we buy from audit their suppliers as Apple does, ass well as a whole lot more than that (including moving towards becoming more 'green', a completely different issue). Even if that means higher prices for our precious electronics, it should be worth it for us to work towards such ends.
@Mmmm Donuts green isn't enviromental issues anymore, read my comment again. What Apple is doing is fram from being unique and you don't have to take my word for it. I'm not gonna write a loooong comment to prove a point. You're not worth the effort - you seem very convinced and have enough excuses to continue defend the obvious. Apple can do alot more good and they're far from being the best industry.
Jobs is one of the most influential people in the tech industry why isn't there that much phasis on corporate social responsibility - why not being an influencial force and set by example there? That's all I am saying, you're free to bad mouth my comment all you want.
@Gutsy Gibbons the Misinformed Hater.
"What Apple is doing is fram from being unique and you don't have to take my word for it."
You don't present ANY evidence to back your claims, you are making a bunch of complete garbage up as you go, and you are nothing but a pathetic Apple-hater spreading lies about one of the few (yes, I said few) things this company IS doing right. They aren't a 'God' company, but they certainly aren't a bad one. Their stuff works, it's nice, and people buying it keeps our economy going.
SO- Since you think you can get away with typing just about anything out and having everyone think it's true, here are some of the facts you can mull over.
First off, we have the source of your completely true claim- "Nokia and SonyEricsson are The top most "green" companies"- HOWEVER, like I keep telling you, people are not green in this instance.
http://www.greenpeace.org/international/campaigns/toxics/electronics/how-the-companies-line-up/
Note the part where it says that it is based upon "their policies on toxic chemicals, recycling and climate change." NOT human treatment. What you release into the environment and how the workers are affected by your practices are radically different. PEOPLE. ARE. NOT. GREEN. (At least not usually) :-)
Second, you say "Apple can do alot more good and they're far from being the best industry."
I agree. Vehemently. However, saying the things they do right are nonexistent, which you in no uncertain terms have done, it only going to motivate them to do less. If a kid does his homework and gets an 'A' in English (which you clearly did not, sorry), you don't bop him on the nose and tell him he sucks because he failed math, you say 'good job, now lets work on your math', unless you're a complete dick.
Similarly, as Apple IS doing more than just about any company to try and regulate their suppliers, we should congratulate and continue on that path, not scorn them for it. And you know what, you're damn right I'm going to "bad mouth" a comment so misinformed and filled with inadequacies. What you're doing is wrong, and you need to stop with the lies. Now.
Hey, here's and idea- why don't you actually try and make a valid point like a mature and well-educated human being, and stop being so dead set on hating a company just because... well, who knows why people like you exist? I maintain a firm belief that Apple is nothing more than another imperfect company, but you seem to think they are bad in all that they do, even the unique and good. Problem with boredom maybe? You could always work on your spelling and grammar, I'd be afraid to read your 'essays' if spellcheck didn't exist :P 9001st wonder of the world, you are!
--By the way, what have you done that's so great? Do you create anything, or just criticize others work and belittle their motivations?--
I'm sure this wasn't noted in the review.
Makes you think twice about bitching about this country don't it.
@adilly
Yeah, because in this country there's always corporate accountability
/s
Hey, have the suits stopped pointing fingers and cleaned up any of that oil still spilling into the gulf yet?
this ?
LOL at the barbed-wire fence. I can't tell if it's real of photoshopped, but either way it's pretty funny.
@engadgetcomexcludeengadget
Glass cleaning must be srs biz in teh China.
This is the same country that has laws against "illegal flower tributes" though.
Apple should say something...
but jobs will just laugh
@HighestRanked2 Wow the Apple fanboys just are coming out of the woodworks here aren't they? At least I can argue without the typical troll reaction of calling people names like "mental cripple" to prove a point. What are we in kindergarten?
First off this article addresses working conditions at a factory that produces Apple components. Fact.
Apple Fanboy response: But they did an audit! And found bad stuff!
Duh. It was a PR response after it became known and is it any surprise that the source link for the article was an actual PR release from Apple itself?
Secondly who says you need to own the factory to have accountability? I suppose BP should have no responsiblity for the oil well disaster in the Gulf of Mexico since its actually owned by Transocean and only contracted to BP...
And did I say they owned factories? Does the article? Buddy take the previous poster's advice and doublecheck your reading comprehension.
And regarding whether or not Wintek is an exclusive manufacturer for Apple... please cmon if you're going to keep saying this as an excuse at least read the goddamn article.
http://www.appleinsider.com/articles/10/05/14/apple_contractor_wintek_sued_by_44_employees_over_alleged_poisoning.html
The lawsuit is over workers using a toxic substance to clean APPLE products. Jesus cmon did you actually read the article or not?
Good, I hope they win too.... the lack of worker safety rules for Chinese device factories means that there is blood spilled on all of our gadgets; from suicides at Foxxcon to the cadmium poisoning at the battery companies, to the glue that holds our shoes together that causes brain damage, to the toxic screen cleaner (n-hexane)= normal long chain 6 carbon hydrocarbon solvent/ fuel for the organic chemistry impaired; Chinese device assembly workers have been abused, neglected, unpaid, under compensated, cheated and manipulated for the higher cost of lower prices...
In addition to fair trade, and organic, RoHS and Epeat, perhaps they should add "Human Safe Assembly"///
@cosmicinglewood
Don't forget the great capacitor plague!
Well, at least this isn't about someone committing suicide after being tortured for an prototype.
Good god, how can people be so heartless.
@pur
because it's NIMBY... If it was here wouldn't congress and the senate all be scrambling to create a committee to investigate the issue.
@pur it's just business - but you have a choice you know, think about what conditions your next gadget where made of,what materials where used and so on. Just because you open your wallet doesn't mean you can't question things... :)
iPad: built with love*.
* - some poison.
@KupoCheer
No, it's magic.
@brenro
.....and revolutionary!
Now, anybody that believes that please go lick an iPad screen.
@KupoCheer
That manager took things way too literally: An apple a day keeps the doctor away.
But in all seriousness, that guy just got fired? He should be put on trial just as much as the company!
And Apple's input on this latest news of poor working conditions at their factories?
...
Thought so.
@coolblue830
Please, learn to read:
http://www.engadget.com/2010/02/27/apple-supplier-audit-reveals-sub-minimum-wage-pay-and-records-of/
Oh, and these are NOT Apple's factories. They're suppliers to Apple, Nokia and MANY OTHER companies.