photo credit: Wikipedia
Here’s a factory scene from China, as described by Charles Duhigg and David Barboza of the New York Times:
The explosion ripped through Building A5 on a Friday evening last May, an eruption of fire and noise that twisted metal pipes as if they were discarded straws.
When workers in the cafeteria ran outside, they saw black smoke pouring from shattered windows. It came from the area where employees polished thousands of iPad cases a day.
Two people were killed immediately, and over a dozen others hurt. As the injured were rushed into ambulances, one in particular stood out. His features had been smeared by the blast, scrubbed by heat and violence until a mat of red and black had replaced his mouth and nose.
Snazzy products, high profits, and workers at risk
Unfortunately, dangerous working conditions for workers who assemble Apple products are more common than any of us who buy, own, and love these computers and gadgets would like to think. As Duhigg and Barboza add in their report:
In the last decade, Apple has become one of the mightiest, richest and most successful companies in the world, in part by mastering global manufacturing. Apple and its high-technology peers — as well as dozens of other American industries — have achieved a pace of innovation nearly unmatched in modern history.
However, the workers assembling iPhones, iPads and other devices often labor in harsh conditions, according to employees inside those plants, worker advocates and documents published by companies themselves. Problems are as varied as onerous work environments and serious — sometimes deadly — safety problems.
Our responsibility
I own and use a MacBook laptop and an iPad regularly. I think they are excellent products. I own a small amount of Apple stock in my retirement portfolio. I’ve made some money off of it.
Folks like me (and perhaps some of you, dear readers) need to make our concerns known. I’m a latecomer to the Apple world, but I’ve always envied the “hip and cool” image of the company and its followers. Now, however, it’s terribly clear: There’s nothing hip or cool about exposing workers to life threatening and health impairing conditions on the job.
Minding the Workplace 
Thanks, David. I love my Mac and am so disappointed to learn that Apple is an oppressive force in the world. Beth
I wonder what the human rights track record is of other electronics company? I love Apple stuff too — but I’m thinking twice about moving on to an iPhone.
Thank you for posting this. I am also concerned about the way American companies treat Chinese workers.
Isn’t it ironic that Apple is seen as noble, while the Microsoft Corporation has been compared to the evil empire?
The Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation has spent billions to provide food, education, and health care to people in need.
In comparison, Steve Jobs was reportedly an abusive tyrant to work for and Apple is currently sitting on a mountain of cash – billions that they apparently weren’t willing to share with their Chinese workers.
I don’t know if Microsoft abuses Chinese workers and I like Apple products, but, on learning this, I’m not going to buy from Apple.
Thanks for bringing this up. I think it’s important for consumers to think about what goes into the products they purchase. If you have an opinion on this issue, check out this blog where you can discuss and cast a vote: http://letmypeoplevote.blogspot.com/
Odd that this topic came up. This is being discussed on Up by Chris Hayes right at this moment. Thinking about moving to Iphone? That fixes nothing. THOSE workers live in dormitories. They are awoken at one o’clock in the morning, given tea and a biscuit, and are expected to work. They stand in assembly lines until their legs are grossly swollen and they can’t walk. Their arms work at repetitive movements for so long many become disabled when they lose the use of their arms. The corporation is sitting on mountains of unused profits and are holding on it for the use of strategic purposes. How about taking care of their “slave” caste of workers?