Foxconn Workers on Strike After iPhone 5 Starts Brawls

[Xilo]

The underpaid, overworked Chinese workers of Foxconn have had enough, according to a new report by China Labor Watch: thousands have gone on strike over immense iPhone manufacturing pressure and fistfights with their bosses.

The report comes after both a claimed uptick in working conditions by Foxconn, and a shortage of new iPhones?the most intricate of all time?on Apple's part. The latter, the labor watchdog claims, pushed Apple to demand greater output (and longer hours) by its outsourced labor army?and a steep drop in quality. Simply, people were being asked to build extremely sophisticated things without proper training. Exasperated by stretched hours and seemingly unfair expectations, the workers started beating up quality control staff, caught between enraged labor and indifferent management...

http://gizmodo.com/5...ysical-beatings

[devHead]

That's a shame. Of course, the strike may also mean that the price of the iPhone 5 will go up, to over 700 times what it costs to make it. How sad for all the jokers that just 'have to have' the newest and most magical thing from Apple.

[Growled Member]

I guess it's time for Apple to take their business to another country if the Chinese don't appreciate being treated like slaves.

[techbeck]

That's a shame. Of course, the strike may also mean that the price of the iPhone 5 will go up, to over 700 times what it costs to make it. How sad for all the jokers that just 'have to have' the newest and most magical thing from Apple.

Doubt it with the amount they are getting payed, and the huge work force in China. Plenty to replace the striking ones. Not to mention that jacking up the price would be a pretty stupid move on Apple's part.

[The King of GnG]

Apple-branded slavery, it just works. Maybe...

[+Fahim S. MVC]

Apple-branded slavery, it just works. Maybe...

What a misguided comment. How is this Apple branded slavery? Apple have a contract with Foxconn to deliver a product, it's up to the leadership of Foxconn to ensure a fair deal for their staff, not Apples. As a customer you always try to get the best that you can, and that is what Apple are doing with Foxconn.

[Growled Member]

What a misguided comment. How is this Apple branded slavery? Apple have a contract with Foxconn to deliver a product, it's up to the leadership of Foxconn to ensure a fair deal for their staff, not Apples. As a customer you always try to get the best that you can, and that is what Apple are doing with Foxconn.

I understand what you are saying but why does Foxconn have more problems with their Apple section than seeming the rest of their business combined?

[techbeck]

I understand what you are saying but why does Foxconn have more problems with their Apple section than seeming the rest of their business combined?

Because of demand. Other devices are not in as high a demand as the iphone. So more pressure is put on those workers to meet demand. At least that's my theory

What a misguided comment. How is this Apple branded slavery? Apple have a contract with Foxconn to deliver a product, it's up to the leadership of Foxconn to ensure a fair deal for their staff, not Apples. As a customer you always try to get the best that you can, and that is what Apple are doing with Foxconn.

Apple has a responsibility to the Foxconn workers and to make sure they are being treated fairly.

[kevpan815]

Thank God Apple.Com got my IPhone 5 Shipped directly from China exactly 1 day before the Foxconn Plant Incident! :-)

[Kelxin]

What a misguided comment. How is this Apple branded slavery? Apple have a contract with Foxconn to deliver a product, it's up to the leadership of Foxconn to ensure a fair deal for their staff, not Apples. As a customer you always try to get the best that you can, and that is what Apple are doing with Foxconn.

What a misguided comment. How is this Apple branded slavery? Apple have a contract with Foxconn to deliver a product, it's up to the leadership of Foxconn to ensure a fair deal for their staff, not Apples. As a customer you always try to get the best that you can, and that is what Apple are doing with Foxconn.

Apple owns the technology. Apple is aware of the CONTINUING issues at the Foxconn plant between the suicide jumps, and multiple riots etc. Apple continues to have their phones made at the plant which creates Apple slavery.

Apple not being responsible for the abuses would be like not blaming a drug lord for his pushers selling drugs to kids, Apple just considers the Chinese workers collateral damage and part of the process to watch their stocks continue to rise. Don't get me wrong though, if the Chinese workers want change, THEY need to push it just like the Americans founding fathers did so many years ago.

[Nightwind Hawk]

Amazing how so many people in this thread are so concerned with getting their iPhone in time rather than the awful slave-like conditions the young Chinese workers are going through for it.... they are mostly kids you know, right??