I am an Apple person as I really love the brand but I was shocked and dismayed to read an article in the Timeabout Chinese workers who make Apple products for suppliers.   In the last decade, Apple has become one of the mightiest, richest and most successful companies in the world, in part by mastering global manufacturing. Apple and its high-technology peers — as well as dozens of other American industries — have achieved a pace of innovation nearly unmatched in modern history.

However, the workers assembling iPhones, iPads and other devices often labor in harsh conditions, according to employees inside those plants, worker advocates and documents published by companies themselves. Problems are as varied as onerous work environments and serious — sometimes deadly — safety problems.

Apple, to its defense,  has issued guidelines for suppliers factories but at the same time they demand to know supplier costs and squeeze suppliers to lower costs consistently.  In China this means squeezing employees and putting them in dangerous work environments.

I personally think that this is a disgrace to Apple when their CEO is earning $350 million.  Apple needs to do a hell of a lot more than “issue guidelines” they need to consistently inspect production factories and threaten to pull contracts if workers are not treated better.  It could mean an extra 420-$30 for an iPhone but I would rather pay more money for a new iPhone or iPad than purchase one from a company who is essentially putting factory workers in danger.  Shame on Apple

Related articles

• The Human Costs of the iPad and iPhone (timothymichaellaw.com)
• iPhone 5 release details “leaked” (techradar.com)
• You don’t deserve to assemble an iPhone! (simply-american.net)
• iPhone 5 specs tipped by Foxconn worker (slashgear.com)