Companies can no longer turn a blind eye to working conditions

Published in El Pais, 23 January 2018

Apple is once again in the spotlight for relying on suppliers with poor factory conditions with workers at Catcher Technology Co (a known Apple supplier) claiming horrible treatment. They say they must stand for ten hours a day and often are exposed to dangerous chemicals with proper safety equipment provided only when the factory anticipates an inspection. The problems do not end when workers are finished their shift as they are forced to retire to cramped living quarters.

Ever since Apple’s factory conditions came known to the public some ten years ago they have worked to improve living and working conditions for factory workers and make annual inspections however with demands for apple products so high they have many suppliers and they almost never look at their entire supply chain when doing the inspections.

Apple of course is not the only company to have a black eye in their supply chain as companies like Nike and Levi’s have faced similar accusations. Of course, governments have laws and regulations but in disadvantaged countries like these they are often difficult to enforce, leaving it up to the corporation to set their own guidelines and enforcements.

These corporations are often quick to point out that these are not their factories, merely ones that they outsource the labour to but if they profit from these conditions they should act like it is theirs and they could benefit from it if they do so. Of course, there is the obvious good publicity that comes from it but besides that studies show that workers are more productive under good conditions as well as keeping these workers longer.

For their part, Apple has claimed they investigated the factory as part of their annual reviews and found no problems, echoing the statement of the factory owner but thanks to the internet we are no longer in the dark ages where workers can more easily get the information out of and companies can no longer hide behind misleading reports. Rather than claim ignorance these companies should use this information to better themselves for both humanity’s sake and for their own bottom line. It would not hurt that we would feel a little better about ourselves for buying their products as well.