Former Apple Executives Address Working Conditions in Suppliers' Factories

the new york times today published lengthy report discussing working conditions @ facilities of apple's suppliers in china, part of growing focus on how apple's popular products made. while company making strides in holding suppliers accountable company standards, report cites former apple executives note company continues struggle balancing desire better working conditions , workers' rights business priorities.

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some former apple executives there unresolved tension within company: executives want improve conditions within factories, dedication falters when conflicts crucial supplier relationships or fast delivery of new products. [...]

"we've known labor abuses in factories 4 years, , they're still going on," said 1 former apple executive who, others, spoke on condition of anonymity because of confidentiality agreements. "why? because system works us. suppliers change tomorrow if apple told them didn't have choice."

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apple far company experiencing such tensions, has been receiving publicity due popularity of products , booming financial results.




apple details efforts on monitoring supplier responsibility in annual report, outlining hundreds of audits conducts check compliance , steps has taken remedy issues discovered part of process. sources note while apple routinely threatens companies loss of business if issues not addressed, company in practice has tolerate continued issues because has few alternatives in supply chain.

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"if see same pattern of problems, year after year, means company's ignoring issue rather solving it," said 1 former apple executive firsthand knowledge of supplier responsibility group. "noncompliance tolerated, long suppliers promise try harder next time. if meant business, core violations disappear."

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the highest-profile issues @ apple suppliers have involved number of suicides @ foxconn's facilities , separate explosions @ foxconn , pegatron facilities last year resulted in 4 deaths , 77 injuries.

apple has on 150 suppliers contributing products, many of them located in china , other asian countries workers plentiful , wages low in comparison other regions of world. last week, the new york times detailed how u.s. has been unable compete china production of iphone , other devices factories in asia have proven considerably more flexible in ability scale production , down , have become location entire supply chain.

while economics , logistics of manufacturing in china bring apple speed, scale, , costs unmatchable in united states, company finds struggling deal human factor has become increasingly visible alongside apple's rise prominence.

article link: former apple executives address working conditions in suppliers' factories

 

this sounds old movie cliche', "i'm sorry had this" while continue kick/punch/abuse want.

sad truth want cheaper products use countries lower wages , worse working/living environments. if we'd accept 300% jump in cost of electronics manufacturer locally.

 

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