In 2010, there was a rash of suicides at Foxconn's Shenzhen plant. Managers installed nets to prevent more people from jumping off the roof and committing suicide. Foxconn, a unit of Taiwan's Hon Hai Precision Industry, operates a series of massive factory campuses in China with an estimated workforce between 1 million to 1.1 million people. Foxconn assembles iPads and Apple iPhones, meatball machines, Microsoft Xbox 360 gaming consoles, and gadgets for other companies including HP and Dell.
Apple's sales have shrunk, even as the working conditions of its suppliers attract more attention. In the last quarter of last year, from October to December, it sold 37 million iPhones, 15 million iPads, and 15 million iPods.
Cupertino, California-based Apple has been conducting its own audits of working conditions in the factories that assemble its gadgets since 2006. A month ago, it took an additional step by joining the Washington-based FLA, which focuses on improving labor practices among companies and university groups.
Last month, amid increasing criticism over labor and environmental practices—especially in China—Apple disclosed its supplier list for the first time, revealing the popular gadget makers and stainless steel drains involved.
FLA's findings and recommendations will begin to be released in early March. An explosion in May at the company’s Chengdu, China plant caused 3 deaths and injured 15 people.
A New York Times story published on January 26 reported accidents and long hours at Foxconn factories based on worker accounts. The back-to-back changes and cramped living conditions fueled controversial accusations against Foxconn.
Meanwhile, investors continue to boost the company's stock after being amazed by its sales and profits over the holiday quarter. Apple's stock surpassed $500 for the first time (on Monday), giving the company a market value of $465 billion. ExxonMobil, which had traded places with Apple for the number one position since last summer, now has a market value of $400 billion.
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An FLA team began inspections at Foxconn's Shenzhen plant in China on Monday morning, Apple said on Monday. The complex employs and houses hundreds of thousands of workers.
A consumer action site gathered a petition demanding Apple protect workers during the time around new product releases when workloads peak, collecting 200,000 signatures. Activists hand-delivered printed versions of the signed petition to Apple retail stores last week, but the group has halted scheduled protests and calls for boycotts.
New York - Apple said on Monday that an independent group, the Fair Labor Association, has begun inspecting working conditions at Chinese factories that assemble its iPads and iPhones.
Apple, the world's most valuable company, is the first technology company to become a member. At the time, it promised that FLA would inspect its suppliers, who have committed to fully cooperate.
The FLA plans to interview thousands of employees about working and living conditions at several Apple suppliers. The audit will cover facilities responsible for assembling over 90% of Apple products.
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