A non-profit group called China Labor Watch calls out a Chinese contractor for a series of worker abuses. Apple has been using these contractors more often since depending less on Foxconn, their longtime distributor.
Abuses include failure to pay workers their wages, confiscating id cards so they can’t work, and poor conditions at factories owned by Pegatron. Before you jump on Apple, note they have high standards when it comes to treating?their laborers right. These alleged abuses go against?that?policy. Since 2007, they’ve had to audit 15 Pegatron factories. Pegatron executive Jason Cheng vows to “…correct any violations to Chinese labor laws and our own code of conduct.”?As Pegatron increase it’s work force to 70,000 (it was just 50,000 in March 2013), China Labor Watch reports Pegatron factories exceed the 60 hour a week maximum work cap, and hold pay checks for those who work within a short period of time.
What’s to make of this? First off, I’m glad we’re at least being told this treatment is wrong, and something is being done to combat it. But there is more to this work week violation. I read workers are asking for more than 60 hours a week to make up for the low wages. Here lies the problem. Maybe if salaries were raised so workers can support themselves with decency and dignity, they wouldn’t have to ask for extra hours. Plus, I think there’s a need for a culture change all around in that workplace. Yes, it’s starting at the top, but it needs to trickle down to middle and lower management. They’re the ones that deal with the workers and manage the factories on a daily basis. If they can come up to these higher standards, then you will truly see change. What do you think should be done to fight alleged labor abuse?