[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=E5odytJoYmo#!]
The results of the Fair Labor Association’s investigation into Apple’s suppliers beginning with three Foxconn facilities officially published yesterday. While finding excessive working hours and many violations of Chinese labor law, Foxconn and Apple agreed to reduce workweek and overtime hours within Chinese law to 49 hours per week and 36 overtime hours per month based on the FLA’s recommendations. Foxconn will also hire tens of thousands of new employees and implement a compensation package to make sure workers’ salaries remain the same amid reduced working hours.
In the interview above with Reuters, head of the FLA Auret van Heerden talked about the investigation and noted the agreement could set a new standard for working conditions throughout China. One unanswered question is whether the agreement will lead to higher prices for consumers (which is not necessarily a bad thing)…
It is unclear exactly how much of an impact Apple and Foxconn’s agreement with the FLA will ultimately have on product prices for consumers, but it is clear that at least some of Foxconn’s customers were concerned leading up to the audits. The FLA will continue its audits of Apple’s suppliers throughout the year at several contractors, such as Wintek, Pegatron, and Quanta Computer.
- Fair Labor Association publishes findings of Apple/Foxconn Investigation (9to5mac.com)
