Apple and Foxconn are a force in the global economy. Is there another manufacturer who could step in and take Foxconn’s place as the principle manufacturer for Apple? Highly unlikely. This factory could be a model for others across the world. Apple is forced to ensure that is the case.
There were a number of suicides at the plant over the past year, but it is an enormous place that is essentially its own city. There are reportedly 450,000 employees at the Longhua, Shenzhen factory that is often referred to as Foxconn City or iPod City. There are 15 factories at the location and a quarter of the workers live on site. Some reports will reinforce the fact that suicide rate on-site is lower than the national suicide rate. That may be the case, but it is distorting the facts a bit. Compare the suicide rate of young/middle-aged, employed citizens, who have not be diagnosed with a mental illness. My hunch is that the suicide rate won’t look so hot anymore.
SHANGHAI (Reuters) – Apple Inc’s Tim Cook, on his first trip to China as the chief executive officer, has visited an iPhone production plant run by the Foxconn Technology Group, which is being accused of improper labor practices.
