Biel Crystal produces 'bloodstained' cover glass for Apple's iPhones — Good Electronics. Hong Kong-based labour group SACOM conducted an investigative research into labour conditions at the Huizhou factory of Apple supplier Biel Crystal, and discovered numerous labour abuses and violation of Chinese labour law. SACOM has published the investigation results in a new report 'Stains on iPhones' cover glass. Dehumanized Working Conditions of Biel Crystal for Apple's Products'.
SACOM is urgently calling upon Biel Crystal and Apple to address the detected labour rights issues. This summer, SACOM conducted an investigative research towards the labour condition in Hong Kong-owned Apple supplier – Biel Crystal’s Huizhou factory and discovered numerous labour abuses and violation of Chinese Labour Law. Download the full report here. Biel Crystal, who started its business by producing glasses for watches, is one of the biggest suppliers of the world’s touchscreen cover glasses. SACOM’s demands to Biel Crystal SACOM’s demands to Apple Remarks. Apple’s own data reveal 120,000 supply-chain employees worked excessive hours in November.
To its credit, Apple is now posting monthly information tracking the extent to which employees in its supply chain are working less than its standard of 60 hours per week. The introductory language to this information states: “Ending the industry practice of excessive overtime is a top priority for Apple in 2012.” The accompanying graph itself, however, contains data from Jan. 2012 through Nov. 2012 and suggests otherwise.
Not only has Apple failed to end this practice, but progress has significantly reversed in recent months. Apple’s code of supplier conduct sets a maximum work week of 60 hours, with an exception clause, discussed below. Eyeballing Apple’s graph indicates (Apple only provides a specific number for November, so visual approximation is necessary): In Jan. 2012, about 16 percent of the workers in Apple’s supply chain worked more hours than Apple’s maximum standard. This evidence is consistent with independent reports on production at Apple. Beyond Foxconn : Deplorable Working Conditions Characterize Apple's Entire Supply Chain-Electronics.
Beyond Foxconn : Deplorable Working Conditions Characterize Apple's Entire Supply Chain Click here for the press release Click here to download the report in pdf Statement by the Executive Director Li Qiang Introduction On June 14th, a Foxconn worker jumped to his death from his apartment building in Chengdu, marking the 18th reported worker suicide at Foxconn factories in China in just over two years[1].
This investigation of other Apple suppliers in China reveals that serious work-related injuries and worker suicides are by no means isolated to just Foxconn but exist throughout Apple’s supply chain. Apple must take on the responsibility of improving conditions in its supply chain and changing its purchasing system. Background Information In 2006, the Western media began investigating labor conditions in Apple’s supply chain in China. After a string of worker suicides at a Foxconn Apple factory in May 2010, dozens of media reports put increased pressure on Apple and Foxconn to make changes.
Apple Labor | How are the factory workers making Apple products treated? "Time is ticking, Apple. We're still waiting for an ethical iPhone", says SumOfUs — Good Electronics. SumOfUs has launched a new campaign. iPhones and other iGadgets are still made by workers treated unethically, even though Apple pledged to address violations of workers' rights in its Chinese supply chain. But thus far, there has been no documentation of measurable improvements in working conditions for Apple factory workers. The battery on the SumOfUs digital iPhone will die one year after Apple made its pledge.
SumOfUs calls upon Apple — the richest company in the world — to make real, measurable progress on working conditions in its Chinese factories in the coming year. Apple holds its products to the highest standard. It is time for Apple to apply that same standard to working conditions in its factories. This cannot be a repeat of 2006, when a similar pledge by Apple amounted to all talk and no action. "Time is ticking, Apple. Here's what would it take for iGadgets to truly be made ethically: Why is SUmofUS focusing only on Apple? Why Apple? Can Apple fix this? International attention to working conditions in the production of iPads and iPhones — English.
Thousands of consumers took action. This resulted in a great deal of attention internationally.Thousands of consumers left cards in the Apple shops worldwide, requesting fairly produced Apple products. Or they sent messages to Steve Jobs via Facebook, Twitter or the website (you can still do this!). In the Netherland, The ChristenUnie party asked questions in Parliament on sustainable isuues in the electronic sector after this day. International Playful protests were also held in Guadalajara, Berlin, Budapest, Helsinki, Oslo, Taipei and Hong Kong.
This resulted in a great deal of international media attention for the issue, with articles in The Guardian/The Observer, China Post, The New Zealand Herald, Der Spiegel Online, De Standaard and Vrij Nederland, among others. You can view photos of the Action Day in various countries here. What is going wrong? In 2010, 19 Foxconn employees attempted suicide; 16 of them did not survive. Improving working conditions.