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SmokeNoMore
We can demonize Apple if we wish. Apple is just one of many US corporations ...
BobDJr
Did anyone else notice that at least 3 workers in the photograph have their red ...
Foxconn admits hiring underage workers
Dylan McGrath
10/16/2012 1:05 PM EDT
SAN FRANCISCO—Contract manufacturer Foxconn Technology Group has admitted it employed interns as young as 14—a possible violation of China's labor laws—after accusations made by a labor rights watchdog group.
In a statement widely reported by several media outlets, Foxconn said it takes full responsibility for the violations and said it has apologized to the students involved. The firm promised to investigate and terminate the employment of any Foxconn employee found responsible for the violations.
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According to China Labor Watch, a non-profit worker rights group, Foxconn's manufacturing site in Yantai employed a small number of student interns over the summer between 14 and 16 years old. Foxconn has sent the underage interns back to school, according to the group.
The minimum work age in China is generally 16. However, it is permissible in China to employ interns under 16 if they have lighter workloads than regular works and do not work overtime or night shifts, according to China Labor Watch. The organization said there is a gray area in China's labor laws with regard to interns.
"If Foxconn let those interns work the same as those normal workers, then it is a violation of laws," said a spokeswoman for China Labor Watch, in an email exchange with EE Times.
CNET reported Tuesday that Foxconn acknowledged that employing the underage interns was a violation of Chinese labor law and company policy.
Foxconn, an original design manufacturer owned by Taiwan's Hon Hai Precision Co. Ltd., makes products for Apple Inc. and others on a contract basis. According to an Associated Press report, Foxconn said its manufacturing facility in Yantai—located in the northeastern Chinese province of Shandong—does not make any products for Apple.
China Labor Watch said the underage interns were mostly sent to Foxconn by schools. According to the group, the schools involved should take primary responsibility for the violations. But Foxconn is also culpable for not checking the workers' IDs and confirming their ages, according to the group.
Next: String of controversies
In a statement widely reported by several media outlets, Foxconn said it takes full responsibility for the violations and said it has apologized to the students involved. The firm promised to investigate and terminate the employment of any Foxconn employee found responsible for the violations.
[Get a 10% discount on ARM TechCon 2012 conference passes by using promo code EDIT. Click here to learn about the show and register.]
According to China Labor Watch, a non-profit worker rights group, Foxconn's manufacturing site in Yantai employed a small number of student interns over the summer between 14 and 16 years old. Foxconn has sent the underage interns back to school, according to the group.
The minimum work age in China is generally 16. However, it is permissible in China to employ interns under 16 if they have lighter workloads than regular works and do not work overtime or night shifts, according to China Labor Watch. The organization said there is a gray area in China's labor laws with regard to interns.
"If Foxconn let those interns work the same as those normal workers, then it is a violation of laws," said a spokeswoman for China Labor Watch, in an email exchange with EE Times.
CNET reported Tuesday that Foxconn acknowledged that employing the underage interns was a violation of Chinese labor law and company policy.
Foxconn, an original design manufacturer owned by Taiwan's Hon Hai Precision Co. Ltd., makes products for Apple Inc. and others on a contract basis. According to an Associated Press report, Foxconn said its manufacturing facility in Yantai—located in the northeastern Chinese province of Shandong—does not make any products for Apple.
China Labor Watch said the underage interns were mostly sent to Foxconn by schools. According to the group, the schools involved should take primary responsibility for the violations. But Foxconn is also culpable for not checking the workers' IDs and confirming their ages, according to the group.
Next: String of controversies
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goafrit
10/16/2012 1:46 PM EDT
It is strange how the world continues to support Apple and Foxconn on this.
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goafrit
10/16/2012 1:46 PM EDT
Yes, we buy the iPhone and iPad
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tthappy
10/17/2012 7:52 AM EDT
Apple is a monster in china
I onced worked in shenzhen for producing apple products
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m00nshine
10/17/2012 9:01 AM EDT
Analogy statement:
Apple/foxconn/ipad/iPhone is like DeBeers/blood diamonds/sierra leone.
Highly profitable, monopoly, cartel, questionable business practice, human rights abuses, and environmental damage.
Everyone is outraged, but we still buy diamonds and we still buy iPhones, and there is no regulation or motivation for Apple or DeBeers to change.
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Frank Tu
10/17/2012 11:03 AM EDT
The crime is that Apple is even mentioned in this article. Clearly Apple has nothing to do with anything about this incident.
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BobDJr
10/17/2012 12:30 PM EDT
Did anyone else notice that at least 3 workers in the photograph have their red safety glasses pushed up on their foreheads? Thus affording them no eye protection? (Maybe the person in the yellow suit saw them just after the photo was taken & fixed it.)
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SmokeNoMore
10/17/2012 12:59 PM EDT
We can demonize Apple if we wish. Apple is just one of many US corporations that make TONS of profits based on near-slave labor.
Let's dissect the average engineer "uniform". Polo shirt, Dockers and Rockport shoes. You think the Sri-Lankan teen that stitches your Dockers gets 2 weeks paid vacation? How about the Vietnamese mother of two that crafts your Polo shirt while her 2 kids huddle under the sewing table - you think she gets time off for child care? Lastly, the poor saps in China that breath in large quantities of rubber cement to make your Rockports - you think they get medical checkups?
So blame Apple if you want... but the real person to blame is the consumer that tolerates bad corporate behavior.
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