http://www.engadget.com/2010/05/25/foxconn-ceo-we-are-definitely-not-a-sweatshop/ Engadget Comments for Foxconn CEO: 'We are definitely not a sweatshop' http://www.engadget.com/media/feedlogo.gif http://www.engadget.com en-us Copyright 2012 Weblogs, Inc. The contents of this feed are available for non-commercial use only. Blogsmith http://www.blogsmith.com/http://www.engadget.com/2010/05/25/foxconn-ceo-we-are-definitely-not-a-sweatshop/http://www.engadget.com/2010/05/25/foxconn-ceo-we-are-definitely-not-a-sweatshop/May 25th 2010 10:54AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2010/05/25/foxconn-ceo-we-are-definitely-not-a-sweatshop/http://www.engadget.com/2010/05/25/foxconn-ceo-we-are-definitely-not-a-sweatshop/May 25th 2010 11:31AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2010/05/25/foxconn-ceo-we-are-definitely-not-a-sweatshop/http://www.engadget.com/2010/05/25/foxconn-ceo-we-are-definitely-not-a-sweatshop/Jobs is in there cracking a whip?]]>May 25th 2010 11:40AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2010/05/25/foxconn-ceo-we-are-definitely-not-a-sweatshop/http://www.engadget.com/2010/05/25/foxconn-ceo-we-are-definitely-not-a-sweatshop/May 25th 2010 11:42AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2010/05/25/foxconn-ceo-we-are-definitely-not-a-sweatshop/http://www.engadget.com/2010/05/25/foxconn-ceo-we-are-definitely-not-a-sweatshop/
The one where Apple products are made has a higher security risk potential, therefore there is more implied anxiety if you make a mistake resulting in a leak or cost FOXCONN money for a botched production run.

Therefore these employees feel a greater sense of stress.

I would agree however that FOXCONN is not a sweatshop. The Clothing and Hardware industry factories in China win the Sweatshop title for their work conditions.

The electronics industry is a clean, precision process, so security and information leaks are the culprit of the Suicides, rather than any chemical inhalation or safety related deaths, or young workers as it relates to being labeled a "Sweatshop"]]>May 25th 2010 11:52AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2010/05/25/foxconn-ceo-we-are-definitely-not-a-sweatshop/http://www.engadget.com/2010/05/25/foxconn-ceo-we-are-definitely-not-a-sweatshop/
Probably not but it's possible that Apple demands stricter security measures than other Foxconn customers.]]>May 25th 2010 11:53AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2010/05/25/foxconn-ceo-we-are-definitely-not-a-sweatshop/http://www.engadget.com/2010/05/25/foxconn-ceo-we-are-definitely-not-a-sweatshop/Don't know where Apple got into this equation. No one said this has anything to do with them and no investigation revealed that the suicide victims worked on Apple products.
The suicides happened in the biggest of Foxconn's plants, where probably almost all of their big customer's products are assembled. That's Intel, Dell, Sony, HP, Nintendo, Microsoft and of course Apple. They should all line up together and demand some better working conditions. ]]>May 25th 2010 12:05PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2010/05/25/foxconn-ceo-we-are-definitely-not-a-sweatshop/http://www.engadget.com/2010/05/25/foxconn-ceo-we-are-definitely-not-a-sweatshop/
You should realize that you are reading web site sponsored by Apple. This particular plant manufacturers iPads and other stuff (and not only for Apple) as reported by many news outlets (for example: "Why have suicides spiked at Apple iPad supplier Foxconn in China?" - http://www.csmonitor.com/World/Asia-Pacific/2010/0525/Why-have-suicides-spiked-at-Apple-iPad-supplier-Foxconn-in-China)]]>May 25th 2010 12:17PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2010/05/25/foxconn-ceo-we-are-definitely-not-a-sweatshop/http://www.engadget.com/2010/05/25/foxconn-ceo-we-are-definitely-not-a-sweatshop/so is this page censored in china or what?]]>May 25th 2010 12:26PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2010/05/25/foxconn-ceo-we-are-definitely-not-a-sweatshop/http://www.engadget.com/2010/05/25/foxconn-ceo-we-are-definitely-not-a-sweatshop/
I think some of the magic leaked from the ipads and got onto a couple of the employees. They became so magical they couldn't take it anymore and needed to off themselves.]]>May 25th 2010 12:29PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2010/05/25/foxconn-ceo-we-are-definitely-not-a-sweatshop/http://www.engadget.com/2010/05/25/foxconn-ceo-we-are-definitely-not-a-sweatshop/but heres the thing:
theres thousands of other workers willing to do their job
though the companies measures are horrific (in particular the pure awfulness related to apple products and the MUCH stricter security) its better money/conditions than a lot of other places these people could work

it is a sad state that, while companies like Apple, HP, Dell and all the rest are making BILLIONS upon BILLIONS of pure profit, as are foxconn, their employees are still treated as third class citizens, with bad living condiitions, bad wages and bad treatment
cant these companies take a small hit to their gigantic profits to keep the people making their products, if i say so making them very well, well... keep them alive?]]>May 25th 2010 12:38PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2010/05/25/foxconn-ceo-we-are-definitely-not-a-sweatshop/http://www.engadget.com/2010/05/25/foxconn-ceo-we-are-definitely-not-a-sweatshop/The Engadget editors don't WORK for Apple.
They don't purposely skew stories to protect Apple.

Plus the article you linked, done by Christian Science Monitor of all places, just makes a generalized statement that the company who owns factories also happens to manufacture the Apple Ipad.
I doubt they even know if the suicides are coming from Apple product lines... Quit spreading false information.]]>May 25th 2010 1:03PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2010/05/25/foxconn-ceo-we-are-definitely-not-a-sweatshop/http://www.engadget.com/2010/05/25/foxconn-ceo-we-are-definitely-not-a-sweatshop/
I don't know about Dell and HP...
But I do know that Apple retail stores have often come out as one of Fortune Magazines top 100 places to work.

I have also have had other acquaintances that have been very happy doing their work for Apple. I'm sure it's very similar for HP, Dell...

Now... whether or not the companies are obligated or should come directly involved in compensating workers in China is another story.

I do agree that Foxconn needs to lay off hoarding profits for the big executives and CEOs....

But I can't bring myself to blame HP, Dell, or Apple... If I did that... I would have to also blame myself for continuing to purchase products with this origin. I think we are all just as equally guilty as any of these other companies.

Foxconn is only one directly responsible though... ]]>May 25th 2010 1:11PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2010/05/25/foxconn-ceo-we-are-definitely-not-a-sweatshop/http://www.engadget.com/2010/05/25/foxconn-ceo-we-are-definitely-not-a-sweatshop/I wasn't commenting on Engadget. YOU brought up Apple even though they have no direct relation to the suicides. It's Foxconn you should be worried about, not Apple. ]]>May 25th 2010 1:17PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2010/05/25/foxconn-ceo-we-are-definitely-not-a-sweatshop/http://www.engadget.com/2010/05/25/foxconn-ceo-we-are-definitely-not-a-sweatshop/May 25th 2010 1:43PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2010/05/25/foxconn-ceo-we-are-definitely-not-a-sweatshop/http://www.engadget.com/2010/05/25/foxconn-ceo-we-are-definitely-not-a-sweatshop/
How do you know that Apple has nothing to do with that? Remember last year they had one suicide where the guy who committed suicide lost iPhone prototype? Not everybody believed that it was a suicide. Besides, it's possible that Apple contributes to the problems by demanding draconian security measures (don't we know this?)]]>May 25th 2010 2:22PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2010/05/25/foxconn-ceo-we-are-definitely-not-a-sweatshop/http://www.engadget.com/2010/05/25/foxconn-ceo-we-are-definitely-not-a-sweatshop/
Sure Engadget editors do not work for Apple (I am not sure they would be able to stay there for long) but they do depend on Appe for getting access to those great Apple PR events from where Engadget loves to report LIVE.]]>May 25th 2010 2:26PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2010/05/25/foxconn-ceo-we-are-definitely-not-a-sweatshop/http://www.engadget.com/2010/05/25/foxconn-ceo-we-are-definitely-not-a-sweatshop/I don't know if Apple had anything to do with it because no one clearly said so. That's my point. So I'm actually wondering why you try to pinpoint it all on them. Foxconn on the the other hand doesn't seem to interest you at all.
Btw, I hoped you had realized by now that your Apple/Engadget relationship makes no sense. Guess you didn't. If they were so dependent on Apple, why would they post all these Foxconn articles that makes their major business partner appear in such a bad light?]]>May 25th 2010 2:50PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2010/05/25/foxconn-ceo-we-are-definitely-not-a-sweatshop/http://www.engadget.com/2010/05/25/foxconn-ceo-we-are-definitely-not-a-sweatshop/May 25th 2010 3:16PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2010/05/25/foxconn-ceo-we-are-definitely-not-a-sweatshop/http://www.engadget.com/2010/05/25/foxconn-ceo-we-are-definitely-not-a-sweatshop/i would guess that apple store workers would be ok, afterall, they dont really have to work in squalor, but get put in big glass rooms full of light with nice wages

but what i mean is that apple and HP and Dell all are making gigantic profits, so its not as if they cant afford to help pay for improvements of facilities in their production facilities

in all, i feel that we the consumers can do nothing about this problem, were allready overcharged for most of our products, so its not like paying an extra £10 is going to improve the conditions, its not until companies such as Apple HP and Dell start demanding better conditions that conditions will improve

but then, they will never do that from their own pocket, so it probably would lead to price hikes in products, whilst the fat cat companies keep there huge profits

*sigh* its a sad thought that me buying a HP/Dell/Apple product is causing someone suicidal thoughts, and yet, the people who CAN do something arent doing anything :(]]>May 25th 2010 3:35PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2010/05/25/foxconn-ceo-we-are-definitely-not-a-sweatshop/http://www.engadget.com/2010/05/25/foxconn-ceo-we-are-definitely-not-a-sweatshop/May 25th 2010 7:22PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2010/05/25/foxconn-ceo-we-are-definitely-not-a-sweatshop/http://www.engadget.com/2010/05/25/foxconn-ceo-we-are-definitely-not-a-sweatshop/would you agree that your comparison of one severe case with one that is less of is somewhat a relative one... the fact is, there are regulations which states the line between healthy and normal work hours ya?]]>May 25th 2010 11:22PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2010/05/25/foxconn-ceo-we-are-definitely-not-a-sweatshop/http://www.engadget.com/2010/05/25/foxconn-ceo-we-are-definitely-not-a-sweatshop/May 25th 2010 11:54PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2010/05/25/foxconn-ceo-we-are-definitely-not-a-sweatshop/http://www.engadget.com/2010/05/25/foxconn-ceo-we-are-definitely-not-a-sweatshop/
When you have to declare this subjectively and not objectively, there's a problem.]]>May 25th 2010 10:55AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2010/05/25/foxconn-ceo-we-are-definitely-not-a-sweatshop/http://www.engadget.com/2010/05/25/foxconn-ceo-we-are-definitely-not-a-sweatshop/May 25th 2010 11:11AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2010/05/25/foxconn-ceo-we-are-definitely-not-a-sweatshop/http://www.engadget.com/2010/05/25/foxconn-ceo-we-are-definitely-not-a-sweatshop/If they have to declare this subjectively and not objectively....


They blew it!]]>May 25th 2010 11:21AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2010/05/25/foxconn-ceo-we-are-definitely-not-a-sweatshop/http://www.engadget.com/2010/05/25/foxconn-ceo-we-are-definitely-not-a-sweatshop/The fact that you work with high tech machinery and wear a white coat does not mean that it's a physically and mentally healthy environment.
300,000 employees in one single factory, big as a city but with almost no places to relax and recreate after a 18 hour work day cannot be good for the employee's state of mind.
Hiring counselors, even if they were more than the ridiculous 50 is not the solution. When you need counseling it means your mental state is already out of balance. So the solution must be looked for way before that.

Btw, I read somewhere that the minimum wage of an average worker is way lower now than it was 20 years ago. ]]>May 25th 2010 11:24AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2010/05/25/foxconn-ceo-we-are-definitely-not-a-sweatshop/http://www.engadget.com/2010/05/25/foxconn-ceo-we-are-definitely-not-a-sweatshop/
In the end, largely it is our fault. We, as consumers, demand great pricing (or let companies like Apple make great profit margins) but we don't demand ethically made products.

Just like the average person is doing nothing to reduce oil consumption while watching BP destroy the gulf, I doubt few will resist purchasing some new gadget because it was made in conditions that the consumer would never think about working in.

Send a message to Foxconn. Boycott the new iPhone this year. I guarantee that if you do, Apple will make a big enough fuss to shake things up in China. If you really have balls, boycott everything from Foxconn until things change.

Every dollar you spend is your vote. If you own a product made by Foxconn - you are already a supporter of their policies. Hell, I know I am and it is making me remember to be a more conscious consumer. ]]>May 25th 2010 11:32AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2010/05/25/foxconn-ceo-we-are-definitely-not-a-sweatshop/http://www.engadget.com/2010/05/25/foxconn-ceo-we-are-definitely-not-a-sweatshop/May 25th 2010 11:33AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2010/05/25/foxconn-ceo-we-are-definitely-not-a-sweatshop/http://www.engadget.com/2010/05/25/foxconn-ceo-we-are-definitely-not-a-sweatshop/May 25th 2010 11:34AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2010/05/25/foxconn-ceo-we-are-definitely-not-a-sweatshop/http://www.engadget.com/2010/05/25/foxconn-ceo-we-are-definitely-not-a-sweatshop/
in chinese slang "factory by day.... sweatshop by night!!"]]>May 25th 2010 11:38AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2010/05/25/foxconn-ceo-we-are-definitely-not-a-sweatshop/http://www.engadget.com/2010/05/25/foxconn-ceo-we-are-definitely-not-a-sweatshop/May 25th 2010 12:03PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2010/05/25/foxconn-ceo-we-are-definitely-not-a-sweatshop/http://www.engadget.com/2010/05/25/foxconn-ceo-we-are-definitely-not-a-sweatshop/Amen to that...and it hasnt been for a while now]]>May 25th 2010 5:30PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2010/05/25/foxconn-ceo-we-are-definitely-not-a-sweatshop/http://www.engadget.com/2010/05/25/foxconn-ceo-we-are-definitely-not-a-sweatshop/I do boycott Foxconn already. I don't own any Foxconn assembled products. It's easy! Go for the small, non American computer manufacturers, and for phones, go for the companies that produce their own hardware before they design (e.g. HTC).]]>May 25th 2010 6:12PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2010/05/25/foxconn-ceo-we-are-definitely-not-a-sweatshop/http://www.engadget.com/2010/05/25/foxconn-ceo-we-are-definitely-not-a-sweatshop/May 25th 2010 10:56AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2010/05/25/foxconn-ceo-we-are-definitely-not-a-sweatshop/http://www.engadget.com/2010/05/25/foxconn-ceo-we-are-definitely-not-a-sweatshop/May 25th 2010 10:56AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2010/05/25/foxconn-ceo-we-are-definitely-not-a-sweatshop/http://www.engadget.com/2010/05/25/foxconn-ceo-we-are-definitely-not-a-sweatshop/May 25th 2010 10:56AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2010/05/25/foxconn-ceo-we-are-definitely-not-a-sweatshop/http://www.engadget.com/2010/05/25/foxconn-ceo-we-are-definitely-not-a-sweatshop/the number has increased to11by yesterday, and he was a 19yr old.]]>May 25th 2010 10:58AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2010/05/25/foxconn-ceo-we-are-definitely-not-a-sweatshop/http://www.engadget.com/2010/05/25/foxconn-ceo-we-are-definitely-not-a-sweatshop/
This death puts their suicide rate for this year at 3-4 per 100k per year. The UK is at 6.8 and the US at 11.1!

I'm not saying working there is at all pleasant, but you certainly can't conclude anything about the working conditions from these suicides.]]>May 25th 2010 11:17AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2010/05/25/foxconn-ceo-we-are-definitely-not-a-sweatshop/http://www.engadget.com/2010/05/25/foxconn-ceo-we-are-definitely-not-a-sweatshop/These are deaths AT WORK "falling" from the building...
No possible way to count how many have taken their lives at home or in some other manner or place.
Also couldn't help but wonder about the quickly hired 50 new "counselors". Trained health professionals, or did they also just have to show ID to get hired? Sad.]]>May 25th 2010 11:37AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2010/05/25/foxconn-ceo-we-are-definitely-not-a-sweatshop/http://www.engadget.com/2010/05/25/foxconn-ceo-we-are-definitely-not-a-sweatshop/9/900,000 isn't that bad.. Less than 1% of the staff has went an hero]]>May 25th 2010 11:44AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2010/05/25/foxconn-ceo-we-are-definitely-not-a-sweatshop/http://www.engadget.com/2010/05/25/foxconn-ceo-we-are-definitely-not-a-sweatshop/
These people killed themselves. Not deaths at work by accident. Plus it wasnt with in the past year, it was the past few months. ]]>May 25th 2010 11:51AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2010/05/25/foxconn-ceo-we-are-definitely-not-a-sweatshop/http://www.engadget.com/2010/05/25/foxconn-ceo-we-are-definitely-not-a-sweatshop/
1 person dies, shame on them...
2 people die, shame on them...
3 people die, shame on you...

9 people die.... why hasn't an inquiry been launched?]]>May 25th 2010 12:41PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2010/05/25/foxconn-ceo-we-are-definitely-not-a-sweatshop/http://www.engadget.com/2010/05/25/foxconn-ceo-we-are-definitely-not-a-sweatshop/May 25th 2010 2:39PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2010/05/25/foxconn-ceo-we-are-definitely-not-a-sweatshop/http://www.engadget.com/2010/05/25/foxconn-ceo-we-are-definitely-not-a-sweatshop/First of all, I find it a bit sad that you respond to this tragedy with statistics, saying it's not that bad.
Second, you simply cannot pull some demographic numbers here. There are too many variables when you look at a companies history. You cannot compare them with national statistics. The article states Foxconn has an employee fluctuation of 50,000 people per month. Probably many of these people left because they couldn't take it anymore to work there. If they did, the suicide rate might be much higher. ]]>May 25th 2010 3:06PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2010/05/25/foxconn-ceo-we-are-definitely-not-a-sweatshop/http://www.engadget.com/2010/05/25/foxconn-ceo-we-are-definitely-not-a-sweatshop/I wouldn't be so sure about how well the WHO numbers apply to workplace suicides.

I looked up workplace suicides in the US and here's what I found.

251 workplace suicides in 2008 (a peak year, just look at the chart)
http://www.bls.gov/iif/oshwc/cfoi/osar0010.pdf

137 million, nonfarm payroll employment 2008
http://www.bls.gov/news.release/archives/empsit_01092009.pdf

Works out to
0.000183% rate
or 0.0183 out of 100k people

For Foxconn
0.001375% rate assuming 11/800k (which is the workforce of their entire company in China, rather than the specific factory where these suicides occurred).
or 1.375 per 100k

Much higher obviously for Foxconn. However, I will say, since the workers in those factories do work and live there, it will skew things a bit. The data I have does try to factor in all work-related suicides (even those that do not occur at work), but it is generally workplace suicides. However, it does show the problem may be bigger than you suggest.]]>May 25th 2010 6:21PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2010/05/25/foxconn-ceo-we-are-definitely-not-a-sweatshop/http://www.engadget.com/2010/05/25/foxconn-ceo-we-are-definitely-not-a-sweatshop/May 25th 2010 11:00AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2010/05/25/foxconn-ceo-we-are-definitely-not-a-sweatshop/http://www.engadget.com/2010/05/25/foxconn-ceo-we-are-definitely-not-a-sweatshop/
In which case manufacturers would keep paying their employees the same thing. What would need to happen is the minimum wage go up as well.

But tragic though it may be, 11 people out of eight hundred THOUSAND isn't that bad of a figure.]]>May 25th 2010 11:38AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2010/05/25/foxconn-ceo-we-are-definitely-not-a-sweatshop/http://www.engadget.com/2010/05/25/foxconn-ceo-we-are-definitely-not-a-sweatshop/
Well, yeah... that's kind of the natural progression. If people can't live up to minimum standards based on their legally allowed wage+OT, then minimum wage must go up.]]>May 25th 2010 11:46AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2010/05/25/foxconn-ceo-we-are-definitely-not-a-sweatshop/http://www.engadget.com/2010/05/25/foxconn-ceo-we-are-definitely-not-a-sweatshop/
But point being, simply increasing minimum wage is a knee jerk reaction that is a bit premature. Doing that can have an enormous trickle-down effect that could really mess up a local economy. And I'm not entirely convinced that these OT hours are "necessary" to live comfortably, or whether it's just necessary to buy an iPhone.]]>May 25th 2010 11:49AM