You can get great home deliveries of in-season ethical organic veg from lots of different Irish suppliers and farmers. Great value, I started getting them only a month or two ago and spend way less on my food bills now!

I like to just buy less things generally, look for second hand goods and repair my old things instead of buying new replacements – I find it’s the easiest way to not support these abuses, and I save money too :)

“I think I’d struggle to find any consumer product in my home that wasn’t produced under exploitative worker conditions.”

The reality of globalisation buddy and thanks to it our children can look forward to a future as exploited assembly workers painting lead on toys for the children of the Chinese middle class. What goes around come around, to those 44% polled who couldn’t give a sh*t.

Rónán I am with you 90%. 5% of me plans to have 2 chickens when I have a proper home (sick of forgetting to pick up eggs in tesco) and the other 5% is my good friend apathy who cares little for the common man.

It singles out Apple because Apple has highest margins and biggest cash reserves.

In other words, they are not exploiting workers to compete or survive, they are exploiting workers to hoard.

Pure greed.

It singles out Apple because it promotes itself as “progressive” and “different” when in reality is the same sh1t in a different box.

And that’s only a Foxconn list. When you consider all the other mass production companies like Foxconn it is almost impossible for someone to hold anything electronic without it having been made through the same process.

How many of the above brands promote an image of themselves as “progressive” and “different”? Only one does that, and that’s Apple.

@tom
Eh dell, intel, Microsoft, Samsung
Come on, all technology companies do!

Well said – yet thejournal continues to make this about Apple.

@ Tom, I’m not sure Apple do. I think their customer base may well project those values on to the company (the crisp white abstract universe constructed by Apple suggests purity I guess), but nothing about Apple suggests that’s what they say about themselves. Their core values are always and only about their products, not their ethical stance on anything.

Seriously, think about that Ray. They are bringing huge money into the Chinese economy, providing hundreds of thousands of jobs. The Chinese Government will do nothing especially when Foxconn has far better conditions that many other companies in China.

@EM true which brings me back to my point, instead of one company being supplied by Foxconn receiving all the heat for this issue why not instead efforts be directed at the authorities to improve conditions and enforce their laws.
China’s vice premier Li Keqiang was quoted today in an article as telling Tim Cook “foreign firms should do more to protect workers”. Surely as vice premier of his country he should have implementing and enforcing laws to protect the workers in his country higher on his agenda then asking Tim Cook to try and resolve the issue.

But as one of the biggest brands they, Apple, are in a position to effect change. They can dictate from a position of power. Nike were the subject of much pressure years ago and were forced into changing conditions. Not sure how much progress was made but they did change work practices.

@Brian, I’m not altogether sure Nike raised their game much on that front (see http://www.playfair2012.org/game/) – , but the TUC in the UK have done great work as part of the Playfair 2012 campaign to ensure that London 2012 Olympic merchandise follows a sustainable code of practice. This means that all they know where the goods have been manufactured, factories are open to inspection and workers can organise into unions. The whole thing is underpinned by a sustainable sourcing code and a internationally recognised set of ethical guidelines.

So you are right, in the sense that if Apple can appreciate that its customers would put a value on the same sort of ethical sourcing, they can certainly lead the charge. However, if Apple don’t get this message from their customers they will do nothing.

But plenty of other recognisable brands have their goods manufactured in the same location under the same, or similar, conditions. It would be erroneous for people to include that a non-Apple product is somehow more ethical, which a lot of consumers will conclude from these headlines and stories.

with apologies for my appalling grammar and syntax. been a long week.

I agree with your sentiments Peter, but we live in a globalised capitlatist world where all workers are exploited in some shape or form, to feed the greed of the few. Just because Apple are making the headlines does not mean that thousands of other mutli-national corporations are not doing the same. If you’re to bring your thought process to it’s logical conclusion there would be very little left for you buy. Blaming Apple is not the answer.

Very true Peter, but come on its how the world works! So where do you draw the line?? e.g. Your trainers, clothes, TV etc.. Its not only Apple doing this!

Sent from my Iphone :)

Why stop at apple. Look around you. The market is flooded with cheap goods made in china or somewhere else in asia. To single out Apple is just wrong. What about nike, pennys and so on, the list is endless. Ever go into 1 of those €2 euro shops. At least something hopefully will be done now at foxconn. The only reason is because of their association as an apple supplier. There are 1000’s of companies in asia supplying cheap goods to the EU that will never get exposed. Anyway Foxconn doesnt just supply Apple.

It’s easy to single out Apple as they charge so much for their products, that part of that price is for the name, the fact that its makes explosive profits annually and is worth more than maybe 80% of the worlds countries. To then here they do this and allow this it shows the ugliness behind the white roundy cornered products that the world crave.
Apple should ensure Foxconn employees are paid enough to make ends meat, not pay them western wages but to think that in China they make less that they cant cover basic needs is wrong when the device they are making is making so much profit for the big boys in suits and fancy offices. (The company posted record quarterly revenue of $28.57 billion in 2nd quarter of last year alone)
There’s globalisation/capitalism and then there is sheer greed. If those workers took home an extra €40 or €50 a month it would make a massive difference to their lives and I for one would be more welcome to the idea to support Apple in the future if I knew this to be the case.

I refused to support Del Monte and other company’s over the years when I heard of the poor treatment and wages of its employees and the farmers they purchase from

Spot on begrudgy

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Foxconn#Major_customers

They’re all at it. I once worked on an ‘assembly’ line, which consisted of:
1. Opening Foxconn boxes
2. Slip in card from other vendor
3. Connect to machine for software download
4. Attach badge for major technology company whoever
5. Box up and ship

Made in Ireland. Transfer pricing how are ya

If I believed Apple was wrong why would I just single out Apple! We all managed years ago without cheap imports why do we have to put up with it now, your pandering to capitalistic marketing geniuses like Steve Jobs who whipped people up into a frenzy so easily. Have ye all not got a mind of your own.

Peter – what are you reading this story on?

@Damhsa Dmf, Akunamatada!

totally agree. it is possible to produce consumer electronics without abusing workers. I worked in the Dell factory in Limerick before it closed and I don’t recall anything Foxconn-esque “having” to happen in order for people to get their reasonably priced laptops.

I think the ”Apple aren’t the only multi-national company involved in dubious business practices” argument is a complete cop-out.

Yes its completely correct but that argument does not justify these practices. It’s a bit like saying ‘ ”Apple aren’t to blame loads of other companies do it too so it’s alright.”

The reason Apple is being looked at is because there have been many reports of bad practices in its supplier Foxconn, particularly in China. This article from the New York Times is an example – http://www.nytimes.com/2012/01/26/business/ieconomy-apples-ipad-and-the-human-costs-for-workers-in-china.html?_r=3&hp=&pagewanted=all

Also, Apple are a major company and if ethical conditions are applied to them, hopefully other multi-nationals will take note and make sure their supplies treat workers fairly.

According to the Apple website ”Apple is committed to the highest standards of social responsibility across our worldwide supply chain.” http://www.apple.com/supplierresponsibility/

It should be because it’s a win-win situation for them (avoids negative publicity), the consumer (knows their prouduct was produced ethically) and the worker (given a fair wage and adequate breaks etc.)

@ John Radcliffe Dell sourced a huge amount of parts for assembly in limerick from Foxconn and companies owned by Foxconn for years befor Dell introduced its global localisation policy in ’98, after which it only dealt with larger worldwide suppliers like LMS beach and Foxconn and the likes. So your slightly off the mark with your thinking. The Foxconn factories in question produces products for many companies like Apple Samsung Dell Hp Sony to name a few. Apple appears to be the only company making a stand to try and improve the conditions within their suppliers factories.

@ Begrudery, No! It’s not an Apple. Samsung GS2 and i’ll stay with them til they hit the news in a bad way.

@John Radclyffe Peavoy-Whittingstall, (That is some name) Anywho i’m glad to have supported you years ago before Dell abandoned Ireland (Not completely) when i paid €2800 for my Inspirion 9400. Totally cool that you work for CERN #love science/astronomy

@Ray Brennan, totally true, There are umteen companies taking advantage of China. However Apple are only interested in saving face because of public opinion and other companies will follow suit just to save their pockets and keep customers. Apple and others will not fall just because of me, Everyone has their own justification for buying and doing things in life. People will chose their own way whichever way that is.

Noddy. “blaming apple is not the answer”. Blaming/questioning/lobbying/boycotting Nike and similar companies did change the way they do business and the focus on their use of child labour did remedy the issue significantly. However, should Apple or similar multinationals pull out of such communities? Would the workers end up in an even worse situation, in even greater poverty? Quite likely. A complex issue but consumers having a conscience is good thing.

@Peter Andrew Stone

What’s hilarious is that Samsung is also one of Foxconn’s largest customers. Congratulations on being a total hypocrite.

@Ray Brennan I didn’t know that at all. Argh I feel terrible now!

@ObligPic, Congratulatios!! well spotted. Did you spot the one where Apple travelled all the way from the good ol US of A to China just for a quick buck, Whereas Samsung are Korean and China are good neighbours So is Ireland an the UK and we share trade and manufacture. Ya i’m a hypocryte……….NOT!!

@Peter Andrew Stone

That makes feck all sense. You’re the one that stated:

“I’ll never buy Apple again. I believe it’s chronically wrong for human beings to capitalise on one another. We’re all equal and it’s the butt of racism and all other social problems. We’re not in the dark ages anymore and we’re not animals……………..”

By using a Samsung phone you are going against the very things you claim to value.

@ObligPic, Samsung is the lesser evil, Go figure.

@Ray, I don’t see Apple taking a stand at all. If these conditions didn’t make the world press Apple would happily go about their business and continue to push Foxconn’s margins all the way as usual. They don’t care any more about Chinese workers than do any other Western company who moved their business to China in the first place to maximise profits.

Any move they make now to improve conditions are to avoid further damage to their brand. You can be sure this won’t hurt their margins; Foxconn will be expected to take the financial hit and in the long run it’s the workers who will still suffer.

$0.50/hour, that’s what Foxconn workers used to be paid and that’s why Apple, Nokia, Sony and many others put their business there.

@EM Apple have had this investigation carried out by the FLA so I’d say that combined with the publication of all of their suppliers, is a move by the company to improve standards. Fair point in saying its because of the highlighted issues within Foxconn, but I don’t see any of the other companies Foxconn supplies openly addressing the issues.

If the temporary workers don’t like it, quit.

I would have thought that was pretty obvious given that they are probably the biggest brand in the world, massive profits and enormous cash reserves.

In fairness to the journal its not just them. Every news website has just the apple link. Dont know why really, maybe its a way to get peoples attention to ready a story.

I’d imagine its for two reasons. One, Apple is sitting on cash reserves of about $100 billion, so they actually have the cash to pay their workers more without putting themselves out of business. Two, Apple is a company that has built itself very heavily on its image, so something that negatively effects that could effect their business, so it is much easier to get them to pay their workers more in order to maintain their image.

Doesn’t take much Googling to establish Foxconns other major customers:
Acer Inc.
Amazon.com
Cisco
Dell
Hewlett-Packard
Intel
Microsoft
Motorola Mobility
Nintendo
Nokia
Samsung Electronics
Sony
Toshiba
HTC

Seems bizarre to me to highlight Apple for that just because their products sell better then their competitors who all use Foxconn as well. If everyone refuses to buy Apple products the other’s above will pick up the slack and Foxconn with work away. Some of the above have been using them longer as well.

Is it OK that all the above do the same as Apple because there brands aren’t as big or they don’t have as much in the bank? Apple only over took most of them recently.

Apple should be taken to task on this but so should the rest of Foxconns customers. While were at it ther e are quite a few other notable companies that are doing way worse (Shell?).

Correction……….. “on your” not “odour”. !!!

Damn apple products and their autocorrect! I wish those workers would fix that problem ! Dock them a weeks wages I say! ;)

Which of my Apple products should I reply with???

Todays red thumbs were brought to you with the iPhone 4, iPad 2 and the iMagimp 1.

Use the device that makes you feel Superior to everyone else.

Bit of a stuck up comment there Adrian.

Which comment was that Paul?

“use a device that makes you feel superior to everyone else” em aren’t you being a bit hypocritical ? Is that not exactly what you are doing but on a non-apple device ?

@Adrian: “use a device that makes you feel superior to everyone else”

You seem to have NO IDEA – ;-) sorry not being rude but just stating facts!
PC-Lada – Apple-Volvo ;-)

That was in answer to Justsaying and his question “Which of my Apple products should I reply with???” a question I found to smack of self importance. If you guys choose to see my reply as stuck up that’s your own business.

Everybody has the right of his own opinion and there will NEVER be a coming close between PC and Apple Users ;-) It s true that Apple Products are very expensive but they are FOR life they are worth every penny. Thats why I compared Apple Products with Volvo or VW ;-) And Mac Lovers/Addicts/Fanatics are people of their own for sure – I am one of them ;-)

My new iPad arrived covered in blood and tears. I love it so much.

Am I the only one to find it ironic that all the red thumbs are the same colour as your burning hands after using an Apple product for an hour or so??????

@Kerryspirit Chris. “They are FOR life and worth every penny” My six year old dual G5 PowerMac is now unsupported by Apple and has been since OSX 10.5.8. How is that “FOR life”? Don’t bother asking if it is still working. It is. I’m aware of people who still have original PC-XTs that still work. It is irrelevant.

I haven’t bought an Apple product since then and don’t ever see myself buying another. I’m not willing to pay a premium for a logo and view a computer as a tool to get work done and not a lifestyle choice. Apple desktops are built using parts you could find in almost any PC. So what really sets them apart? Their OS, based on the open-source BSD?

to be more specific then Adrian it’s the way Apple constantly screw over customers with a new “update” to the barely release product that they just purchase. That puts me off in a major way, not interested in a product that has a life of 3mths.

Just asked Siri and it told me to keep buying! I have to do what it tells me or I’ll die!

don’t think I’d go that far for an iPhone

don’t, think I go that far for iPhone

And as far as I’m aware they are only the suicides from the plant producing apple and some other companies products. Workers from the Microsoft Xbox 360 plant all stood on a roof and threatened mass suicide not so log ago

What phone do you use Will?

You probably wouldn’t stab yourself in the eye until you get an iKnife. Your right though it not all about Apple, but they are Foxxcons largest customer so Apple are going to attract the most negative publicity from it.

True it would have to be an iknife… if windows had one it probably wouldn’t work.