Apple responds to abuse claims at iPod factories

Apple has issued a statement in response to a controversial report regarding abusive working conditions within the facilities of some of its Chinese iPod manufacturing partners, according to Macworld UK.

Earlier this week, the UK's Mail on Sunday reported that the iconic digital music players are built primarily by female workers who labor 15-hour days and earn as little as $50 per week.

The report alleged that some workers are crammed into secluded dormitories of 100 people where visitors from the outside world are prohibited. Allegations of physical punishment were also made.

"Apple is committed to ensuring that working conditions in our supply chain are safe, workers are treated with respect and dignity, and manufacturing processes are environmentally responsible," the statement explains.

The company added that it is "currently investigating the allegations regarding working conditions in the iPod manufacturing plant in China" and that "it does not tolerate any violations of its supplier code of conduct, which is posted online."

In the code of conduct, the iPod maker states: "Apple suppliers must uphold the human rights of workers, to treat them with dignity and respect as understood by the international community."

According to the Mail on Sunday, workers at E3 — a factory that produces the iPod nano — are allowed only "a few possessions" and a "bucket to wash their clothes." At this factory, work days are said to begin with military-type drills that take place on the roof.

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26 Comments

jamezog

said about 17 years ago

I hope those allegations aren't for real... I mean, this is China after all, but still. Makes you wonder how cushy we really have it here in the West.

officerdigby

said about 17 years ago

Now we see that the Nike collaboration would work fine at the Asia end. Many companies work in this way, only a few are exposed with no legal 'blame' because construction is contracted out.

coolhandpete

said about 17 years ago

It's a good first step for Apple to provide the media with its worker code:

This is the Apple Supplier Code of Conduct.

I was impressed by a number of things, the first of which was Apple's obvious awareness of the cultural/societal differences between factories in the U.S. and those in China and elsewhere. There is a clear undertstanding of the many human rights/fairness issues that we've been discussing on these boards.

I was uneasy with the clause that said that a work week should be no more than 60 hours "except in emergency or unusual situations." Does a product shortage count as an unusual situation? How about a shortage of workers? The term "reasonable living space" (referring to worker dormitories) similarly got my attention.

I hope that Apple doesn't leave these terms up to the interpretation of factory managers who may want to bend them to mean otherwise. This .PDF does not reflect an operationalization or proceduralization of most of this code - whether there is a more detailed document elsewhere, I don't know.

umijin

said about 17 years ago

Good for Apple.

But let's face it - how (or why) can any of these companies in China respect the human rights of their workers when their own government does not?

It's the dirty laundry we all know about, but don't want to see.

recompile

said about 17 years ago

I am so sick of the two faced hypocritical statements and demands we put on as a facade to make us all feel better. That we are at LEAST complaining. On one side of the fence, we complain about corporations, monopolies, and dominating market, and "Squeezing out the little guy". This in a sense is related to self serving greed. We are all really concerned about popping the bubble of our personal "American Dream" of starting a company and getting filthy rich. We all don't want anything to come in the way of that. BUT, when we choose to buy from Wal-Mart, one who is notorious for overtaking small communities with a super store that puts all small business owners out of work, but even knowing this, the bottom line is that it is cheaper for us. I know of no competing computers that do not make and assemble most, if not all of their products somewhere other than America or Europe, due to the regulations, costs, permits, wages, etc., that would make that product no longer a competitive product due to price. Apple is under direct fire over their ipod "Dominance". Sony, Creative, Micro$oft, Toshiba, etc.. Would all like to do ANYTHING to reduce Apple's share of the pie, so that they can have a chance to gain it all for themselves. On a previous thread on this same topic, I wrote how the average Family income per household in China ranges from $890 (US) to $1,100 (US) per YEAR. It does suck, as to our standards, but at least with the business from ipods and computers, that wage became 2.2 x the average wage PLUS room and board, and only for ONE member of the household. It still sucks, but is is a giant step forward in progression of that economy. This is an upward trend that must continue for the people of China and many other countries. So next time you find yourself complaining about the fact that Apple does not make $200 desktops, or $300 laptops, or when you go to your local store, shop for what you want, ask questions, etc., then go home and buy from whoever because it was cheaper, remember that for companies to give that to you, it comes at a "Cost".