Michal Marek One of Apple's main manufacturing plants has been accused in a BBC report of violating several worker protection standards. The accusation is based on an investigative report by several employees of British public television, who were sent to work in the factory in disguise. A full-length documentary about the situation at the factory was broadcast on BBC One Apple's Broken Promises.
The Pegatron factory in Shanghai forced its workers to work extremely long shifts, did not allow them to take time off, housed them in cramped dormitories, and did not pay them to attend mandatory meetings. Apple has expressed itself in the sense that it strongly disagrees with the BBC's accusations. The problem with accommodation has already been resolved, and Apple's suppliers are said to be obliged to pay their employees even for extraordinary meetings.
“We believe that no other company does as much as we do to ensure a fair and safe work environment. We are working with our suppliers to solve all the shortcomings and we see a constant and substantial improvement in the situation. But we know that our work in this field will never end."
Apple's suppliers have been accused of inadmissible dealings with their employees several times in recent years, with Foxconn, the most important factory for Apple, always in the center of attention. As a result, Apple implemented many measures in 2012 and began aggressively negotiating a remedy with Foxconn. The measures included, for example, the introduction of many standards ensuring the protection of all employees working in the factory. Apple subsequently also issued a summary report on how well the standards are being followed. BBC reporters nevertheless revealed many shortcomings and pointed out that, at least in Pegatron, everything is not as rosy as Apple says.
The BBC claims that Pegatron violates Apple's standards, including, for example, those related to the work of minors. However, the report does not specify the problem in more detail. The BBC report also revealed that employees are forced to work overtime and have no choice in the matter. One undercover reporter said his longest shift was 16 hours, while another was forced to work 18 days straight.
Pegatron responded to the BBC report as follows: “The safety and satisfaction of our employees are our top priorities. We have set very high standards, our managers and staff undergo rigorous training and we have external auditors who regularly inspect all our equipment and look for deficiencies.” Pegatron representatives also said they would investigate the BBC's allegations and take corrective action if necessary.
In addition to investigating the situation in one of Apple's factories, the BBC also looked into one of the Indonesian suppliers of mineral resources, which also cooperates with Cupertino. Apple says it strives for responsible mineral extraction. However, the BBC found out that at least this particular supplier operates illegal mining in dangerous conditions and employs child workers.
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However, Apple stands behind its decision to include in its supply chain even companies that are not exactly clean from an ethical point of view, and claims that this is the only way to make amends in this field. "The easiest thing for Apple would be to flat-out refuse deliveries from Indonesian mines. It would be simple and it would protect us from criticism," said an Apple representative in an interview with the BBC. "However, it would be a very cowardly way and we would not improve the situation in any way. We decided to stand up for ourselves and try to change the conditions."
Apple's suppliers have proven in the past that conditions inside their businesses have seen clear improvements. However, the situation is certainly not ideal even today. Apple and its suppliers are still heavily targeted by activists focused on working conditions, and reports of shortcomings swirl around the world quite often. This has adverse effects on public opinion, but also on Apple's stock.
Cruel reality: http://www.ac24.cz/zpravy-ze-sveta/5191-andele-v-pekle-fotograf-zachycuje-pracujici-deti-v-bangladesi
I'm a big fan of Apple, I only use it at home and I actually own all the products except for the iPod, but this is a bad read... Every day articles appear that Apple has more cash than some entire states, and shares are at their maximum and the like, but with They have not been able to deal with this for about 5 years... They are being sued for every "obscenity", I want billions in compensation, but to ensure normal working conditions and accommodation for ordinary people, that's a big problem... And it doesn't matter if they have contracts with some workers. agencies, they just have to protect this... I'm not even going to comment on the limitations of the system, after all, that's another topic, but this is a disaster and, above all, a shame!
Do you know that the factory does not belong to them? It's like if you should care about the working conditions of saleswomen in chain stores. I have a newspaper for you, quite miserable for Czech conditions, you're welcome!
Why should Apple care about another company's employees?
It is common practice that you choose all your business partners and check what kind of work they have done for you. As a result, of course, Apple will be associated with the one they chose and who works for them and what kind of advertising they do for them. Therefore
I'm really afraid that there is absolutely no choice, because this is how all Asian large-scale factories work. I think that Apple is being punished for this, because it is simply the biggest and most successful..
That's right, this is Asian style. Huge numbers of people willing to work long shifts for minimum wage.
I'm also under no illusions that this only happens with Apple's supplier.
To a certain extent, Apple is also responsible for these conditions, when during negotiations with suppliers they really push the price of the product to a minimum, so those companies then try to "grab" money wherever they can.
Another thing is that certain immigrants... after relocating to a more developed country lower the salary here because they are willing to work for money that a normal citizen cannot access. The economy then goes down.
Apple is not the employer of the people who make it. The contract is between Pegatron and its employees, so what is the BBC talking about? It's a cheap way to secure momentary publicity.
they were mainly employed by the BBC and kept the pedophile's misdeeds a secret.