Prospects for improved working conditions for Apple workers: Lessons from the EPI panel

Lessons from the EPI panel On April 11, EPI hosted an authoritative panel of Chinese researcher-activists and international labor leaders to discuss the labor practices of Apple, Inc., and its suppliers around the globe. Five important themes emerged: MORE: Full video from the event, as well as available background materials and resources Apple workers in China endure extraordinarily long hours (in violation of Chinese law and Apple’s code of conduct), meager pay, and coercive discipline. The various U.S. media stories that have recently brought attention to the treatment of workers in China assembling Apple products have painted a disturbing picture of long and difficult working conditions, which even contributed to a series of suicides. The panelist’s two Chinese research-activists, who are in constant contact with factory workers at Apple’s key Chinese supplier (Foxconn), confirmed that these individuals continue to face deplorable working conditions. They still work as much as 70 hours a week, in violation of both Chinese laws and Apple’s code of conduct, and wage increases have been offset by inflation and higher deductions from the employees’ paychecks, leaving earnings at levels insufficient to meet even basic needs. Starting pay at one of the factories is $230 per month. Similarly, the Fair Labor Association’s recent investigation found that nearly two-thirds of Foxconn workers “thought that their salary was not sufficient to cover their basic needs.” Disciplinary approaches are frequently harsh. See full Article.