Chinese students 'forced' to work on iPhone 5 sent back to school

[(Spork)]

http://www.theverge.com/2012/9/6/3297995/forced-to-work-on-the-iphone-5-thats-what-these-chinese-students-claim

A bizarre and troubling story has come from China today. Both The Shanghai Daily and the CNR News radio station have reported that up to several thousand Chinese students were pulled out of school and into Foxconn to "work on the iPhone 5." There appear to be two separate sources, one of which originated on the social network Sina Weibo. That source claimed that around 200 students from Huaiyin Institute of Technology were driven from their school to the Foxconn factory in Jiangsu in a sort of forced 'internship' program. The source, who claimed to be a student at the school, said the work began last Thursday. The student also said they are being paid a rate of 1,550 yuan (about $244) a month for six 12-hour days of work per week. The Shanghai Daily also reports it has corroborated the claims with "several" other students from at least five other colleges. The only Weibo post we can locate by the user, however, is quite vague, so it appears that The Shanghai Daily contacted her for further information.

Foxconn's internship programs came under some fairly harsh criticism in the Fair Labor Association's Foxconn Investigation report, with interns found to be working much as employees, with long hours and sometimes lax documentation. The FLA document also specifically prescribed a set of changes that Foxconn should make to bring its internship program into compliance, but The Shanghai Daily reports that some schools had simply dropped the program altogether in the wake of the controversies.

A separate report on China National Radio claimed that some schools had even suspended classes for the next month or so in order to meet the internship's demands, and quoted an education official who seemed baffled that the program was up and running during the school year.

From our own research, however, it seems that the Jiangsu Foxconn factory, which is brand new, is not a manufacturing line where finished products are put together. The factory is a component manufacturing location, which raises questions as to how workers would know they were working on the iPhone 5, as they are certainly not assembling them there. Tim Cook visited an iPhone production line in Zhengzhou in March. Zhengzhou is a much larger factory which employs about 200,000 people. The Huai'an city factory employs around 35,000 workers.

A second report just issued from The Shanghai Daily now says that those students who were forcibly pulled from school to work at the factory (which is reportedly in dire need of workers), are now beginning to return to their studies. Those who applied for the internships voluntarily will be allowed to stay. This piece essentially confirms that students were in fact being pulled out of school to fill empty factory worker slots, and cites a city government official's statement that schools have been ordered to follow internship policies and "correct the violations." While the statement from the government did not clarify, confirm, or deny the allegations made by students, its reiteration of the guidelines has been interpreted as confirmation of the violations.

We have reached out to both Apple and Foxconn for comment and will update the article with more information as we get it.

[Colin McGregor]

lol gotta get those iphone 5s out and someones gotta work for cheap.

Crazy though. I wont even work for less than 255 a day let alone a month.

[Septimus]

Yup and I am sure Steve himself sanctioned it from his last will and testament and they gave all the students Apple stickers.

In before the 'Apple knew all along BS ' / :argh:

Foxconn are ****ing evil as are most of these manufacturing plants.

[Dennis]

Guys, stop texting on here and get back to work! I need my iPhone 5!

[Ryoken]

Yup and I am sure Steve himself sanctioned it from his last will and testament and they gave all the students Apple stickers.

In before the 'Apple knew all along BS ' / :argh:

Foxconn are ****ing evil as are most of these manufacturing plants.

Samsung is investigating Child Labour reports in their own factories... so it's not like Apple is alone in having issues with their suppliers..

[Tech085]

Yup, I need my iPhone 5, you all get back to work... no shortcuts ya' heard.

[.Neo]

He should be grateful he had to honor and opportunity to work on a new magical Apple product. Also, he suffered so many others can have joy. To quote a great man: "The needs of many outweigh the needs of the few."

[Nashy]

Let's watch all the uneducated Apple trolls have fun with this, no realising that this sort of thing is common in China. Forget what is acceptable in the western world, it means nothing in China.

[StevenJ]

Let's watch all the uneducated Apple trolls have fun with this, no realising that this sort of thing is common in China. Forget what is acceptable in the western world, it means nothing in China.

What? Just because something is common doesn't make it correct, or right. That is hands down one of the most common and most ignorant sayings I come across, and it is blatantly wrong.

Using your logic on the mistreatment of Aboriginal Australians: "Let's watch all the uneducated Human rights trolls have fun with this, no realising that this sort of thing is common in Australia. Forget what is acceptable in the European world, it means nothing in Australia."

[techbeck]

Let's watch all the uneducated Apple trolls have fun with this, no realising that this sort of thing is common in China. Forget what is acceptable in the western world, it means nothing in China.

What is common practice in other cultures is NOT accepted in others. Other wise, we would be marrying under aged, cannibalism would be popular, and rape would be accepted..along with many other things. China may not care about what happens with child labor, but the majority of the world does.

It is funny that you are quick to call others uneducated and trolls. Maybe you should read your statement before you post next time.

Samsung is investigating Child Labour reports in their own factories... so it's not like Apple is alone in having issues with their suppliers..

Yea, was reading that. Samsung recently found no evidence of child labor and supposedly has no tolerance when it comes to child labor. However, they recently got accused (after they ruled non of their suppliers are using child labor) of using child labor at one of their OWN plants. So curious to see how that works out. They also made a statement about how hard it is to do a complete/thorough audit with amount of turnover they have. But who knows.

[Rippleman]

they getting paid good for an internship they would have to do anyways, sounds like an awesome thing to me

[techbeck]

they getting paid good for an internship they would have to do anyways, sounds like an awesome thing to me

They dont have to. Some had already applied for the internship but others have not. Those who applied, could stay. They others, left.

[richp21]

What is common practice in other cultures is NOT accepted in others. Other wise, we would be marrying under aged, cannibalism would be popular, and rape would be accepted..along with many other things. China may not care about what happens with child labor, but the majority of the world does.

It is funny that you are quick to call others uneducated and trolls. Maybe you should read your statement before you post next time.

Yea, was reading that. Samsung recently found no evidence of child labor and supposedly has no tolerance when it comes to child labor. However, they recently got accused (after they ruled non of their suppliers are using child labor) of using child labor at one of their OWN plants. So curious to see how that works out. They also made a statement about how hard it is to do a complete/thorough audit with amount of turnover they have. But who knows.

KCCO!

[Nashy]

What? Just because something is common doesn't make it correct, or right. That is hands down one of the most common and most ignorant sayings I come across, and it is blatantly wrong.

Using your logic on the mistreatment of Aboriginal Australians: "Let's watch all the uneducated Human rights trolls have fun with this, no realising that this sort of thing is common in Australia. Forget what is acceptable in the European world, it means nothing in Australia."

Don't talk to me about the mistreatment of Aboriginals in my own country. They weren't treated any worse than those across the globe. And when the world changed, so did Australia, so your argument is completely invalid.

What is common practice in other cultures is NOT accepted in others. Other wise, we would be marrying under aged, cannibalism would be popular, and rape would be accepted..along with many other things. China may not care about what happens with child labor, but the majority of the world does.

It is funny that you are quick to call others uneducated and trolls. Maybe you should read your statement before you post next time.

What you just said doesn't make a lot of sense to me, maybe it's my lack of education on understanding people who seem to agree with my opinon, yet make out that they don't, only to look like they're contradicting themselves, which makes you look especially silly calling someone uneducated.

What China does, and what their laws allow is nothing to do with us. Like I said, forget western culture, because the opinions we share, because of the freedom and rights we have, don't allow people to look at a situation in full, only one part of it. Do I agree with child labour? Absolutely not.

But I also believe that Foxconn looks after their staff better than a lot of people seem to think they do. I had to do work experience for my schooling. I was forced to do it, and I didn't get paid. At least these students get paid some money, and the ones who didn't want to do it, are now back at school, while the ones who do want to work there, are working.

[Noir Angel]

Let's watch all the uneducated Apple trolls have fun with this, no realising that this sort of thing is common in China. Forget what is acceptable in the western world, it means nothing in China.

Let's watch all the uneducated Apple fans happily forget that Apple promised that they would outlaw this process and become more stringent with worker welfare after the Foxconn factory suicides.

[StevenJ]

Don't talk to me about the mistreatment of Aboriginals in my own country. They weren't treated any worse than those across the globe. And when the world changed, so did Australia, so your argument is completely invalid.

How is it invalid? Because I showed you how much of a stupid statement you try to make? The truth is, is that even if it changed, it does not negate that it happened and it was wrong, no?

And as far as their treatment compared to others: attempting to exterminate them, then attempting to out-breed them, then taking their children of the belief they are unable to raise them is unique in many respects. Especially since this was going on almost to the mid 20th century, lol.

You keep talking about education-- what formal education do you have exactly sir?

[Nashy]

How is it invalid? Because I showed you how much of a stupid statement you try to make? The truth is, is that even if it changed, it does not negate that it happened and it was wrong, no?

And as far as their treatment compared to others: attempting to exterminate them, then attempting to out-breed them, then taking their children of the belief they are unable to raise them is unique in many respects. Especially since this was going on almost to the mid 20th century, lol.

You keep talking about education-- what formal education do you have exactly sir?

You mean give them a good life, and allow them to grow up in decent families, with good education? Aboriginals cry about it, without realising that without it, they would have never amounted to anything. They still didn't have education, or houses, and that was in the 20th century, lol.

[techbeck]

What China does, and what their laws allow is nothing to do with us.

It effects a lot of consumers and influences who they buy from.

[articuno1au]

How is it invalid? Because I showed you how much of a stupid statement you try to make? The truth is, is that even if it changed, it does not negate that it happened and it was wrong, no?

And as far as their treatment compared to others: attempting to exterminate them, then attempting to out-breed them, then taking their children of the belief they are unable to raise them is unique in many respects. Especially since this was going on almost to the mid 20th century, lol.

You keep talking about education-- what formal education do you have exactly sir?

Got the wrong end of the stick on that one man..

[FloatingFatMan]

Thing is, there's a simple fact about child labour that so many people just don't realise. I shall demonstrate with a little story (made up, but this DOES occur).

Ten year old Timmy is one of the many orphaned children living in the slum section of a poor city in India. He looks after his 4 year old sister, Fred. They live in a shed in slum alley and survive by begging or eating garbage.

Little Timmy finds a job in a sweatshop making products that are sold for much money in a western nation. This job run 12 hours a day in terrible conditions and he earns a dollar a day. That dollar, in local money, is enough to feed him and his sister for the day, go to school for a few hours, and maybe even get some clothes that aren't out of the trash.

Along comes Miss Self Important Person from a Far Away Place. She's righteous, she cares, and she sees the absolutely awful life that Little Timmy and his sister Fred, have. She resolves to put an end to the horrible company that is exploiting him so dreadfully and makes so much fuss, that the company is forced to comply with foreign regulations.

End result. Little Timmy and his sister Fred's emaciated bodies are found dumped in a trash heap 2 weeks later, but that's OK because Miss Self Important Person from a Far Away Place did a good thing by stopping the horrible horrible exploitation!

Fact. Stopping these companies from exploiting just hurts the poor people they employ. You need to address the society problems as a whole, and things like this will improve as a matter of course.

[articuno1au]

Couldn't have said it better myself..

I know this because I was trying.

[Memphis]

Thing is, there's a simple fact about child labour that so many people just don't realise. I shall demonstrate with a little story (made up, but this DOES occur).

Ten year old Timmy is one of the many orphaned children living in the slum section of a poor city in India. He looks after his 4 year old sister, Fred. They live in a shed in slum alley and survive by begging or eating garbage.

Little Timmy finds a job in a sweatshop making products that are sold for much money in a western nation. This job run 12 hours a day in terrible conditions and he earns a dollar a day. That dollar, in local money, is enough to feed him and his sister for the day, go to school for a few hours, and maybe even get some clothes that aren't out of the trash.

Along comes Miss Self Important Person from a Far Away Place. She's righteous, she cares, and she sees the absolutely awful life that Little Timmy and his sister Fred, have. She resolves to put an end to the horrible company that is exploiting him so dreadfully and makes so much fuss, that the company is forced to comply with foreign regulations.

End result. Little Timmy and his sister Fred's emaciated bodies are found dumped in a trash heap 2 weeks later, but that's OK because Miss Self Important Person from a Far Away Place did a good thing by stopping the horrible horrible exploitation!

Fact. Stopping these companies from exploiting just hurts the poor people they employ. You need to address the society problems as a whole, and things like this will improve as a matter of course.

This is the most rational and logical way of looking at it I have ever seen on these forums.

[jesseinsf]

What is common practice in other cultures is NOT accepted in others. Other wise, we would be marrying under aged, cannibalism would be popular, and rape would be accepted..along with many other things. China may not care about what happens with child labor, but the majority of the world does.

It is funny that you are quick to call others uneducated and trolls. Maybe you should read your statement before you post next time.

Yea, was reading that. Samsung recently found no evidence of child labor and supposedly has no tolerance when it comes to child labor. However, they recently got accused (after they ruled non of their suppliers are using child labor) of using child labor at one of their OWN plants. So curious to see how that works out. They also made a statement about how hard it is to do a complete/thorough audit with amount of turnover they have. But who knows.

Human Rights guys. China is one of the countries that lack in good Human Rights.

[jesseinsf]

Thing is, there's a simple fact about child labour that so many people just don't realise. I shall demonstrate with a little story (made up, but this DOES occur).

Ten year old Timmy is one of the many orphaned children living in the slum section of a poor city in India. He looks after his 4 year old sister, Fred. They live in a shed in slum alley and survive by begging or eating garbage.

Little Timmy finds a job in a sweatshop making products that are sold for much money in a western nation. This job run 12 hours a day in terrible conditions and he earns a dollar a day. That dollar, in local money, is enough to feed him and his sister for the day, go to school for a few hours, and maybe even get some clothes that aren't out of the trash.

Along comes Miss Self Important Person from a Far Away Place. She's righteous, she cares, and she sees the absolutely awful life that Little Timmy and his sister Fred, have. She resolves to put an end to the horrible company that is exploiting him so dreadfully and makes so much fuss, that the company is forced to comply with foreign regulations.

End result. Little Timmy and his sister Fred's emaciated bodies are found dumped in a trash heap 2 weeks later, but that's OK because Miss Self Important Person from a Far Away Place did a good thing by stopping the horrible horrible exploitation!

Fact. Stopping these companies from exploiting just hurts the poor people they employ. You need to address the society problems as a whole, and things like this will improve as a matter of course.

You and I both know that nothing changes if no one says anything. Of course people in emerging countries have no idea of what is right and what is wrong within the workplace, after all they are just seeking to survive. There will be allot more deaths before something good emerges. This is just reality, and this is the Human Rights War that no one seems to be interested in fighting.

[FloatingFatMan]

Fixing the human rights issue is needed yes, but you can't just fix those and hope everything else will follow. You have to make sure that Little Timmy and his sister Fred are going to get properly looked after, too.

And it's not just kids like them.. What if it was an adult doing the work and it was the only work he could get, the only way he had of feeding his family? You have to make sure there's support infrastructure in place for him too, so that when the do gooders get him fired, he and his family's emaciated bodies aren't found on the same garbage pile as Little Timmy and his sister Fred.