Filed under: Apple Corporate, Apple
Dick Durbin presses Apple on human rights in China
Technology relations with China and their human rights situation is turning into a hot-button issue lately, especially given Google's recent troubles with that country. Now, my old senator from Illinois, Dick Durbin, has decided to raise the level of scrutiny, calling for a list of 30 companies, including Apple, to share information about their relationships in China with the companies there.Durbin won't have to look far to find issues with Apple: there have been issues in the past with Foxconn and Wintek, two contractors that Apple uses for the majority of its products, and even a recent report commissioned by Apple found that factory conditions and pay scales weren't quite up to snuff. Still, Apple has always spoken out strongly in favor human rights, so hopefully a little bit of spotlight from queries like Durbin's will ensure that their actions match up.
(Apple globe art by Kevin Van Aelst.)
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
Eideard said 6:41PM on 2-02-2010
So, the headline should have been "Durbin presses 30 companies - including Apple - to respond on their relations with companies in China"
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Hobbes said 7:04PM on 2-02-2010
Then probably both you and me wouldn't be here reading and commenting.
I couldn't agree you more though.
Cling On said 7:02PM on 2-02-2010
Evident in another Apple blog is apparent angst over a transfer of guilt, or responsibility, due our consumption of under-priced recreational electronics. Lots exasperated: "if the iPod was made here it would cost $1500...you'd never buy it".
We have coasted for too long under the spell cast by corporate hypnotists, and have allowed the production of most consumer products to be shifted to other nations. Most of it to China. Most employment in the production of components and goods in the U.S. gone.
Consumer action can make a difference, but it seem we've lost the ability to do what's 'right' or best for the furture.
Few, if any, Corp BOD's demonstrate allegiance to the USA, other than as a place to collect dividends and hangar their jets. Now the SCOTUS have given these folks have the 'right' to spend as much as they want on elections. So much good to look forward to.
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John.B said 8:51PM on 2-02-2010
This is posturing, nothing more. If the Chinese yuan was actually allowed to float against the world's major currencies, the trade imbalance would fix itself in short order and our goods wouldn't all be made in China.
Let me know when Durbin calls for a list of 30 US government agencies that coddle the Chinese in one way or another.
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Ty said 10:36PM on 2-02-2010
People wonder why all of the jobs are overseas. It has been a foreign policy for decades that people are just starting to scrutinize. Low tariffs and a close relationship with China's labor-force has pushed jobs elsewhere. The two groups benefitting are the consumers and CEOs of corporations. Consumers benefit from the low prices and the CEOs see an increase in profit margin. Questioning these corporations will lead nowhere. Our reliance on China and other Eastern Asian countries is entrenched into our society.
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Pete said 2:22AM on 2-03-2010
Durbin should be far more concerned about the huge numbers of our jobs being lost to China every year.
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