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Apple To Release List of Companies That Build Its Products Around the World
mathfeel writes "Indulge me in some post hoc reasoning here: After last week's episode of This American Life 'Mr. Daisey and the Apple Factory,' a very interesting show, Apple announced that 'For the first time, Apple has released a list of companies that build its products around the world. In another first, the company also announced that it will allow an independent third party to check on working conditions at those factories, and to make its findings public.'
But before you celebrate Apple's gesture (or complain about the potential increase in electronic price): 'It doesn't appear that Apple's partnership with the FLA will increase transparency in this regard either. The FLA will audit 5% of the factories that make Apple products, but like Apple, it will not name which ones it checks or where it finds violations.'"
Considering the on-going history of the Foxconn operations in China, I think it's pretty clear that Apple has absolutely no problem with companies that mistreat workers.
In fact, considering Apple continues to have strategic partnerships with Foxconn, one can assume that Apple seeks out companies that treat their workers the worst.
The story of what's going on at Foxconn should curl the hair of anyone in the developed world. Because it is a very clear picture of what corporations do in the absence of regulations. Foxconn is a model factory in the world-view of Mitt Romney types. You don't like unions? Well, Foxconn is our future without unions.
You are welcome on my lawn.
do the sheeple in line at the apple store on release day of the next igadget even give a crap, as long as they can be cool by association and get the new shiny object on release day?