Apple issues Report on iPod Manufacturing

@larry.s.f@mindspring.com

Yes, by you get a salary of MORE than $100 a month. And if you didn’t you know dam well that you wouldn’t work there. So please so acting like you don’t know what were talking about – just because everything has worked out right for you.

'Free' them? Like Iraq you mean?

I forgot to mention that, not only Apple, but also Walmart, Toys R Us, Disney, you name it! Any big names in the USA that has OEM in Asia has their "work code" or something with their respective factories. They also audit them every 1/2 year or so. The problem probably is, if you are setting a working guideline with US standard, it's fine; but if you are expecting them to live a life like you are in US, then you probably have to free the countries (China, for one) first.

So did Apple put Nike through the same ethical audit before jumpimg into the foot locker with them?

Apple shouldn't have to raise their prices. They should take the hit for what they have done and continue to sell their electronics at their already ridiculous prices. Once they have demonstrated their concern for unfair work conditions and enforcing an ethical approach to globalization, then they can integrate into aggressive marketing a show of their political consciousness and lead the industry by setting themselves apart from it by radically changing their workers policies to surpass China's standards. Again, they may have to initially take the hit for doing this, but taking such a contrary position and promoting this kind of awareness could put their competitors in a bad light and mean great things for the popularity of the Apple brand in the personal computer realm.

Call me crazy, but distinguishing themselves from the mainstream electronics industry has brought them major support, and using this as an opportunity to turn around could really mean something.

Otherwise, I might as well just go back to being a PC user. I like the OSX experience, but what's the point of buying extremely marked up product over another when they are both made with exploited labor? Truthfully, I can find software I enjoy on both XP and OSX platforms. Something for Apple to consider before they lose a devoted switcher.

Apple needs to also remember their audience. Pro-Corporation types are Windows guys. Pro-Hippie wheatgrass, save-the-animals, artsy socialist types are drawn more to the "creative" Apple platform. Don't piss them off. They WILL sit in front of your corporate office after not showering for weeks and hold up offensive slogan signs.

Or I might just print up flyers and pass them out in front of the Apple store and around my university campus.

May I'm playing the devils advocate here but do you think that the people who are working these long hours are doing it intentionally. I mean they probably arn't getting paid that much per hour so they put in the extra hours to make more money. I remember working for an hourly wage and I wanted to put in way more hours than I was "allowed"

I work 60 hours a week frequently, maybe you're just a slacker. :D

You're easily satiated. I'd like to see an unbiased third party organisation have access to the workers at random and unannounced times to see just how 'easy' they have it. And as others above already point out, a 60 hour week isn't exactly 'light'.

In a labor-surplus environment (i.e. there are fewer jobs than workers), people take a job regardless of the conditions. In a labor-shortage environment, companies have to compete with each other to offer better conditions in order to attract scarce labor. A 60-hour workweek for $100-200/month is de rigeur in China for semi-skilled manufacturing labor. And yet it beats the hell out of sitting around back in Shaanxi wondering where the $2/month jobs are.

Forcing Apple's subcontractors to cut the working hours of hourly-wage employees results in a net decrease in their living standards. Many of these people toil in the factory and send money home to Shaanxi province. Nice going, hippies -- you've just made a lot of Chinese workers' families poorer.

This is very sad to read.
Such low standards. What a depressing working conditions - to make beautiful products like the ipod.
Please Apple, raise your prices a few dollars - you are already expensive but I don't mind - and be fair to your workers.