A look inside the Foxconn factory

I actually can't believe some of the opinions on here.

'They need these jobs' - Yes, of course they need the jobs. You need your job, everyone needs a job but the way that they are treated is a serious issue.

'I Helped the people in china' - Well... yes you did, with a minimal effect. How can you stand on a moral high ground when our demand for cheap goods causes the bad quality of life for millions of people.

Surely this article should make us realise what impact our lifestyle has on these people, and not cause a defensive argument of why it is OK, and by buying an iPhone, you have contributed in some charitable way.

Listen no point in having a go at Apple as all the major US corps have a presence in China. Workers rights well its up to the people there to take action not us. iPhones made in the USA don't make me lol the returns would be horrendous and the cost would make it unattractive!!

When people start harping on about democracy in China I cover my ears why? well with 1.2bn people democracy as we know it just wont work examples look at Russia (plenty of raw materials but the people don't have the skills to work like the Chinese, India, did you see what a mess they made of the Commonwealth Games!!

As I sit here stroking my new iPhone 4 I think of the people that I have helped in the Chinese countryside due to remittances being sent home from the Foxconn workforce.

Also lets not forget China has nukes and who wants to see the country implode ( not that it will) as it would screw up all our economies!! People need to think about the big picture before they start blurting out nonsense!!

Thank you TUAW for posting this. Not sure how the right-wingers out there feel about something like this, but I am certainly glad to learn more about these worker's conditions.

The freedom of a country is defined by its people, not by the US, so Its not up to you. Let them be, i've been there, its a beautiful country and their concept of working and wage a completely different, the price of food is completely different. You people just try to compare everything to your country, chinese people can "free themselves" whenever they want. Don't make the same mistake of judging them and trying to make things your way like in iraq-afghanistan-vietnam-cuba.

China is the most powerful economy in the world, and they're happy to at least, not starve to death. Its not something every country can say. America has the greatest debt in the world with guess who? China, they're in a position to define your country's faith, so stop being condescendent with them.

This person has obviously never worked in a US factory. Get away from the union shops and things are very similar here.

10 minute breaks every 2 hours is better then a lot of US factories. Note - federal law does not require breaks and only 8 states have laws that require 10 min breaks every 4 hours!

nothing at Foxconn is that different mfrom a McJob here. ALL MINIMUM WAGE JOBS ARE DEHUMANIZING. If you don't agree you've never had one.

In an article or Frontline story on Wal-Mart (I can't remember which, sorry), there was a great quote from a retail executive which I'll paraphrase here:

In the United States, we want clean air, clean water, a nice home, good education for our children, and a workplace where we are safe and protected by reasonable labor laws. But we are unwilling to pay for products produced under those conditions.

The work conditions sound similar to the US towards the beginning of our Industrial Age (probably similar in Europe too). Corporate "campuses" where the workers live, unsafe conditions, overworked and underpaid..... China will eventually deal with a rash of strikes/revolts/unionization and the manufacturing will move to Vietnam or another Asian country.

We have a bad economy because all of our wares are being continously being manufactured in China.

We need to make our own equipment again; for god sake 50+ years of cold war and yet we still bow down to a communist country.

Jade, you're either being paid by Foxconn or clinical insane. How is not even being allowed to smile, let alone the work hours not dehumanizing? Apple does the things they do for one reason alone: profit. And if inhumanity adds to that, then it's ok.

Thank god we have the benevolent corporations spreading their wealth and influence to better the lives of these fortunate employees. Certainly, these lucky workers must know what an honor it is to be part of making the god-phone.