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Foxconn Cuts 60,000 Jobs, Replaces With Robots (thestack.com)
An anonymous reader writes: In a bid to accelerate growth and reduce labor costs, Apple supplier Foxconn cut 60,000 jobs at a single factory, work that is now being completed by robots. As many as 600 companies in the Chinese manufacturing hub of Kunshan may have similar plans to automate their workforce, according to a government survey. Foxconn spokesperson Xu Yulian said, "The Foxconn factory has reduced its employee strength from 110,000 to 50,000, thanks to the introduction of robots. It has tasted success in reduction of labor costs." He added, "More companies are likely to follow suit."
These changes are spurred in part by a desire to reduce labor costs, but have also been made in response to an explosion at a Kunshan factory in 2014 that killed 146 people. The explosion was attributed to unsafe working conditions in the Taiwanese-owned metal polishing factory, which were recognized and documented. After the explosion, the local government pledged 2 billion yuan per year in subsidies to support companies that install industrial robots on their production lines.
These changes are spurred in part by a desire to reduce labor costs, but have also been made in response to an explosion at a Kunshan factory in 2014 that killed 146 people. The explosion was attributed to unsafe working conditions in the Taiwanese-owned metal polishing factory, which were recognized and documented. After the explosion, the local government pledged 2 billion yuan per year in subsidies to support companies that install industrial robots on their production lines.
'personal services'. ... ...
But - what if you are not better than a robot?
I can (if rich) in principle have a band to wake me up by playing live music, while someone gently fans me to keep me cool, followed by a maid to wipe my bottom in the toilet, and
Then on to my butler bringing food in from the chef,
'Personal service' - some of these tasks are - in many peoples opinion - actually better done by machine.
The other problem is might I in principle like a butler - yes.
Do I want a butler who is an unemployed truck-driver who has had to retrain, and hates it - not so much.
Let me add, I'm not really saying things will be different this time. I'm saying this is all part of a continuing trend; the same automation trend that you are talking about. Except now automation is not just for factories, it is for everything. It is a known fact that salaries have been stagnant since the 70's despite a 12x increase in productivity. Executives now make, what, 800x more than the common worker as opposed to 20x more in recent memory. Everything is changing and the end game has always been to lower costs as much as possible. Except when automation was expensive or not available, people were seen as necessary cost and now they are expendable. Really this is all obvious, not even sure why I'm taking the time to explain it.
Laws are rules for the court, but merely a bottom bar to hit for life. Think beyond laws in your actions always.
You mean bunk bed with 10 other workers.
Dormitories are available at many factories in Shenzhen, and other cities with largely migrant workforces, but they are optional, and most factory workers do not live in them. Factories in cities with more settled workforces usually do not offer dorms. I have never seen a dormitory at any factory in Shanghai.