Foxconn CEO: 'We are definitely not a sweatshop'
By Laura June 
posted May 25th 2010 10:53AM
posted May 25th 2010 10:53AM
The video also, however, details a new undercover report -- this time eight men who met online -- three of whom ended up being recruited by Foxconn. Their claims? New employees must sign a voluntary affidavit committing to between 60 and 100 hours of overtime each month -- far more than the legal limit of 36 hours. Managers often verbally abuse workers, and randomly deduct pay from their performance bonuses. The 900 yuan minimum wage per month (around $132) is very low in comparison to the company's profits and standing in the country. Possibly the most interesting tidbit unearthed here is the claim that over the past three months, Foxconn has lost about 50,000 workers each month, and as such, has become desperate to make up for the lost manpower. Recruitment standards -- which used to include proof of secondary education -- have been all but dropped, and new recruits need only show identification to obtain a position. Finally, Foxconn has apparently hired about 50 new counselors over the past two days, and the front-line managers are also now trying to communicate with the workers to get a feel for the situation. We'll keep our eyes peeled for further developments, but in the meantime, hit up the source link to view the full news report in Chinese.
Foxconn is NOT run by MAINLAND CHINESE! I'm really pissed than these Taiwanese businesses move their factories to China and let people perceive that it's China's fault. It's not. Foxconn is run by a Taiwanese CEO and Taiwan-based company with headquarters in Taiwan. Seeing as how the Taiwanese government does not want to be part of China, we should treat them as a separate country in this case. That being said, I dislike these kinds of business practices. Instead of building factories at home (country, not home home) they build them in China and take advantage of the local people there. They're exploiting China's vast workforce.
What I find incredible is that Apple continues to work with these fools.
Why is it "WE" WESTERN consumers are willing to pay $500+ (+ETF!) on a phones, electronics manufactured in China by 1) Underage workers 2) Slave labor 3) Un-Safe working conditions 4) Poisonous cleaning agents 5) Devalued currencies
If the USA wants to save it''s economy then these "MAGICAL" consumer electronics needs to be made in "DETROIT".
"...we are not a sweatshop! Look carefully... that's not sweat on their foreheads--it's n-Hexane!"
I work in China and part of my job is to inspect factories for a living. Suicides are NOT normal. I have never inspected a factory (NOT EVEN ONE) that has ever, ever had a worker commit suicide, let alone 11(!!!!!!) in a year. Foxconn must be paying off the local authorities with lots of taxes or other "red packets" because this is ridiculous. All the factory owners that I speak to about this are astonished.
Taiwanese companies have a notorious reputation (amongst local workers) for being difficult to work for and treating its workers as 3rd class citizens.
Logically speaking, it would seem to be an easy choice for the workers. If the conditions suck, then move on to the next factory that either pays better or has better working conditions, and that's what happens in most cases. Why do they need to commit suicide? Think about it. Either Foxconn brainwashes them and/or the conditions are so horrid that there is no other way out but death. Or they are withholding payments (i.e. salaries, bonuses,etc.) or they don't allow them to leave the premises (concentration camp rules??). Can these workers even get out of the factory grounds without harassment? Well, Apple and all Foxconn's clients should be ashamed. Chinese workers are people too and they deserve to be honored as any other workers should be. This CEO should resign! Disgusting display of greed by Hon Hai. Can you imagine 11 suicides at Sony or Nokia or Samsung?? This has to be a record for a contract-manufacturing company in the world--no, a record for ANY company for that matter. Vote with your dollars. It is always the best way. Where's the justice?
buy an apple produt, kill a chinaman !
Basically it comes down to money. These workers know that the gadgets they assemble are worth more then their jobs.
Case in point: the iPad mold sold for over 300k yuan thats about 50k USD on the black market before release.
Who knows who it goes down but there is always a scapegoat taking the hit.
"Must sign a voluntary affidavit"? Must... volunteer...
This may have been asked already, and is kinda rhetorical besides, but when would any organization ever declare that it IS a sweatshop?