Apple Eyes Labor Conditions at iPod Plant

Wasn't it here that I just read about the labor conditions in the iPod factories in China?

SHANGHAI, China (AP) -- Apple Computer Inc. is investigating claims of poor working conditions at a Chinese iPod factory, the company said Friday, vowing not to tolerate any labor violations.

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Apple adopted a code of conduct for its suppliers last November, saying it was modeled after the Electronic Industry Code of Conduct and other labor standards.

The code bans child labor and sets a maximum of 60-hour work weeks, including overtime. The provisions also require suppliers to comply with applicable laws on minimum wages and to keep worker dormitories clean and safe.

http://hosted.ap.org/dynamic/stories/C/CHINA_APPLE_COMPUTER?SITE=TXDAM&SECTION=HOME&TEMPLATE=DEFAULT

W's corporatists dream. Load them into dorms, work them 60 hours a week, and tell them to be happy.

The American Republican party.

Check out the Mariana Islands. That's exactly how it was/is there. They had NO immigration laws, brought in Chinese workers to work just like this. If the worker complained, they were fired. If women got pregnant, they were fired or had to get an abortion. Nowhere to go, they often ended up in the sex trade. And those products were labeled "Made in the USA".

That's the Mexico guest worker "petri dish".

They even have them in Japan. In Japan, at least, they're not too shabby, and the low rent helps young workers save up enough to buy a place of their own. Can't speak for China, though.

"Allegations of poor working conditions are rife in China and workers often are housed in rudimentary dormitories, fed poorly and subjected to poor pay, unsafe working conditions and other maltreatment. Although $50 monthly would be relatively low pay, wages can run even lower for some jobs."

That's why I really adore the people who say US workers should cower in fear of foreign labor and never demand a higher minimum wage or benefits. What do they think our real problem is - we won't agree to live in fenced in dormitories and work 12 hours a day, 7 days a week? We won't willingly sell ourselves into slavery??

How much labor does it cost to make an iPod, a dollar maybe?? I'll give them $90.00 for materials and shipping and marketing costs. That leaves $100 or so to the "investor class"?? It used to be the other way around, the workers got the $100 and the investors got the small amount of profit.

US workers are stupid. We either stand up for workers all over the globe or we end up like these workers in China.

workers but the AFL and the CIO at the time worked with the government to take them down. The Wobblies were far more radical in that they believed in ONE BIG UNION and that there was no common ground between management and worker. What the US has is business unions who suck up to the boss.

Instead of working for systemic change Samuel Gompers and the early AFL agreed to work only for better wages.

IWW
One Big Union of all workers

An injury to one is an injury to all!!

http://www.iww.org/