iPhone Production Conditions

I hope nobody finds my first post distasteful in regards to the recent passing of Apple co-founder Steve Jobs, as it was indeed a sad loss of a greatly innovative person. My post is in timely accordance with the unveiling of the new iPhone, therefore I have elected to discuss the conditions in which those who are assembling Apple products work in. Apple produces its products at a plant in China near the city of Shenzhen, where eleven workers have recently been documented having committed suicide while on the job. With over 420,000 employees in two buildings, the statistics may not seem high, but the horrific conditions these people work and live potentially led to their suicides. In response to the recent rash of suicides, the company which operates Apple’s China facility now makes all of their employees sign a legally binding contract stating that they will not kill themselves and that if they do, their employer cannot be held accountable (in other words, they cannot be sued). The problem has become so pronounceable that fences have been placed on the buildings’ roofs and mesh nets have been placed all around the building to prevent any future suicide attempts. The company supplies a team of onsite monks for spiritual guidance as well as social workers, and if any employee seems to be mentally unhealthy, they are to be immediately sent to a mental hospital. Though the company claims it has taken appropriate measures in ensuring employee safety by doing so, I think it would be more appropriate if they provided their employees with humane conditions. The employees are constantly being urged to make every second count and work harder and faster to increase productivity to meet the growing demand for Apple products. Workers toil away in 15 hour shifts in buildings with no air conditioning and sleep in crowded dormitories infested with bugs. With up to forty people housed in one room, workers find it hard to sleep with the noise and odor. Living in such prison-like conditions, I am personally surprised that more workers haven’t killed themselves. With China’s enormous and rapidly growing population, coupled with extreme rates of poverty, any job is coveted. I think it is time for Apple to take responsibility in owning up to the sweatshop like conditions these workers face and set things right.

Submitted by Anthony Federico