How bad are the working conditions at the factories that make our iPhones and iPads?
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What should I, as an American, do about it? I have seen several videos purporting to show the awful working conditions of workers in China's Apple and Samsung factories, but I've also seen videos depicting workers grateful for the opportunity to work, etc. I've also heard arguments that Americans' evaluation of working conditions in China is merely a cultural misunderstanding. What is the truth, and what should Americans do about it?
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Answer:
As I know, most iPhones and iPad are manufactured by Foxconn, a Taiwanese company has more than 1 million employees in mainland China. Some information I heard from a friend who worked in Foxconn for 6 months: Most of Foxconn's employees are under age 20. One third of the new workers would leave after 90 days. Foxconn's factory in Shenzhen has fitness equipments, swimming pools, etc. But only few workers willing to use them because most of the them don't have the time or mood. Foxconn's average wage was higher than most other factories in China. But it also means you have to work longer hours. I dislike Foxconn. If only one word allowed for me to describe Foxconn, the word would be: Repeat. RepeatRepeatRepeatRepeatRepeatRepeatRepeatRepeatRepeatRepeatRepeatRepeatRepeatRepeatandRepeat. This is your life in Foxconn.You did the same work in the whole day, the whole month, the whole year. Foxconn turns people into machines. Most workers didn't know what they are doing.They don't know the component in their hands used for what. Although they may know they are making a thing would change the world again, or again. But the thing wouldn't change their lives. The horrible thing about those young workers in Foxconn and many other factories was they don't have choices. They are nowhere to go except factories like Foxconn. What should Americans do about it? Voice your concerns (If you can) to Apple and other big international players. Let them know cutting cost is not the only thing they can do in their manufacturing factories.
Jay Teng at Quora Visit the source
Other answers
working condition in those factories wasn't the major issue that most Chinese people're concerning,there're worse job such as working in mine or under harsh environment,It's the exploiting contract that most factories use.Usually the contract wages divided into two parts,basic wages and bonus,the basic wages are set to the mini wages the government require( about 1200-1500,just enough for you to live).unlike other industries,only way to get the bonus in those factories is working overtime(not because you're a skilled worker, or other things need to be awarded).It's like the primitive pure Capitalism which developed country gave up after the union appeared. In China the union is controlled by government,it only represent the interest of government,the government want more jobs to stabilize the society,so the main effort is on favoring those factory owners,I think there is a line between sucking and offering a better deal for those workers which is accepted both by the employee and employer(My father used to work in the factory owned by our village,the working condition is nasty like it should be,but the payment is ok),But with a potential risk of losing those jobs,the government don't want to be the representative of workers. there are lots of things need to be done,but first thing first,the workers need a seat at the table.Today on the news just another guy is found three days after he died because of overtime working,RIP.
Zhujie Sun
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