Think Damage Control

Posted on Aug 18, 2006

Illustration by Peter Scheer

An Apple Computer audit of labor conditions at an iPod factory in China uncovered employees working longer hours than permitted by its code of conduct.  Auditors also said that workers earned “at least the local minimum wage”—whatever that may be in Longhua, China.

Some have praised the tech giant for the “thoroughness” of its report, while others reacted skeptically, with one international trade union representative saying: “Apple interviewed just 100 people out of the estimated 30,000 iPod workers.... We do not know the conditions in which the interviews were held. We have serious reservations about the report.”

Apple, which announced $4.37 billion in revenue last quarter, says it has taken multiple steps to address any concerns raised by the report.

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BBC News:

Apple said the hours were “excessive” and said its supplier would now be enforcing a “normal” 60-hour week.

The California-based firm said its report found “no evidence of enforced labour” or use of child workers.

The computer firm sent an audit team to its unnamed plant in China after a British newspaper published a story alleging poor working practices.

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