Foxconn, a manufacturer for many major electronics companies, is in the news for a second time documenting their horrific abuse and strict military like culture within the company. Two years ago the company made headlines for a string of suicides at the plant. What was Foxconn's response? the company installed nets on the roof so that no one could jump from the building any longer. The latest news from the company, 150 workers have threatened mass suicide if demands for better pay and working conditions. Many employees have spoken out against the company despite the fear of reprisal as the company has pledged to prosecute anyone who speaks out against them. The company is a major manufacturer of Ipods and Ipads, they have also been documented in Apple's sixth annual supplier responsibility report as major violators. Apple has come forward with a statement stating "We care about every worker in our worldwide supply chain. We insist that our suppliers provide safe working conditions, treat workers with dignity and respect, and use environmentally responsible manufacturing processes wherever Apple products are made. Our suppliers must live up to these requirements if they want to keep doing business with Apple." Though they maintain this promise it seems little has been done to reprimand the company. Some of the things Apple found in their annual investigation were: the use of pregnancy tests to screen employees, more than 50% of the workers exceeded the weekly maximum of 60 hours per week as well as workers not allowed days off, payment practice violations, did not provide all employees benefits required by law. I hope that Apple will stand by their commitment to human and workers rights and boycott Foxconn among other manufacturers who regularly commit human rights violations.
