I just received my April copy of New Internationalist, which is focusing on China’s cheap labor. You can read the cover story here. I have not finished reading through the magazine yet, but one article has just made me so angry… to the point of tears. It’s not online, but it is about Foxconn labour, which you can read more about here (please read it).
Basically, what I have learned is that the people working at this company are being treated like machines. Working 12 hour days. Living in dormitories with no privacy. No visits from friends and family allowed. They are punished severely. Their lives even outside of work are scheduled for them (when to shower, when to sleep, eat, etc.)… Isolation.
These people are suffering… and its just plain WRONG. And they are killing themselves… it’s so sad…
So, why is this happening? Because there is such a high demand for electronics in our world today, especially from the good ol’ US of A. Yes, many of our electronic companies are getting their gadgets made through Foxconn— which means we are assisting in this tragedy in an indirect (or not so indirect) way.
I want to do my part in trying to put an end to this… who’s with me??
Write an email to the electronic companies you use. For me, that would be APPLE. Urge them to enforce humane labor practices. We all deserve respect. No ones life should be treated so unfairly just so we can have iphone’s in our pockets.
It’s the least we can do.
**Foxconn produces electronics for:
Apple, Dell, HP, Nintendo, Nokia, Sony Ericsson, Motorola and other global brands.
April 15th, 2011 at 20:01
Having a mother and a sister who both work in electronics manufacturing, and having just written a major academic paper related to racism and oppression,
this is horrifying.
I’d like to read the article in your magazine. And keep a copy of your letter to Apple; I’d like to write one too!