Bound to happen: US writers challenge the Apple-Foxconn nexus

The Guardian has reported on US writers, who have picked up on the unconscionable link between Apple and Foxconn. They are targeting the consumer in their campaign, helped by the Foxconn boss's reference to the "animals" that he must manage (meaning the 1.2 million Foxconn workers in China). I commented on this last week, as I have long commented on the excesses of Foxconn.

As The Guardian puts it:

In a lengthy email sent to Apple staff, chief executive Tim Cook met the allegations (of poor production conditions for workers) head-on. "We care about every worker in our worldwide supply chain. Any accident is deeply troubling, and any issue with working conditions is cause for concern," Cook said. He went on to slam critics of the company. "Any suggestion that we don't care is patently false and offensive to us… accusations like these are contrary to our values."

Earlier this month Apple took the unusual step of releasing a list of all the firms in its worldwide supply chain as part of its 2011 audit of human rights conditions at factories where it has partnerships.

However, the company's own list made for grim reading. It revealed that a staggering 62% of the 229 facilities that it was involved with were not in compliance with Apple's 60-hour maximum working week policy. Almost a third had problem with hazardous waste.

This is the tip of the iceberg. We enjoy our iPods and iPads at a huge cost to Chinese workers in terms of health and safety, bullying, over-work and more. Apple pontificate about their standards, but the evidence is in their own reports of massive failings in terms of their social responsibility programme.

And it is not just Apple. many IT hardware companies use these contracting companies. Targeting Apple means targeting the sector.

In passing, this is an effect of contracting-out, the mode of employment so beloved by POAL here in NZ. Go figure.