Worker commits suicide after iPhone prototype goes missing - reports - Page 5

Originally Posted by Olternaut

Fine, you have a point.

Then let's build robot factories in the U.S.A then! Yes, initial costs will be expensive. But in the long run a robot would work for a hell of a lot less than a Chinese worker and I bet more efficiently too! And with a lot less torture induced "suicides"!!!
It would be better than the situation we have now...now wouldn't it?

Originally Posted by Tlowe999


For example, we blame China for polluting the environment, but a vast number of this pollution comes from factories that ship things to the US, supporting US consumers.

We are all at fault.

Originally Posted by desarc

Apple [and everyone else] will continue making their products in the far east until Americans [and labor unions] understand that people don't deserve $35/hour with full benefits and a matching 401k for clicking the green button when the widget stops in front of them, and the red button if something goes wrong.

the Chinese [Taiwanese, etc] will do these jobs for less than 10% of what Americans will. these jobs will never come back.

Originally Posted by Trajectory

Well, because the salaries ARE low. At the end of the day, China is still a Communist country where citizens have a lot less freedom and corruption is rampant.



It's not only the US economy that is slumping. And if the US did go bankrupt, China would be royally screwed. The one thing that could happen is that the US started manufacturing our goods right here in the US again instead of outsourcing everything to China. Imagine how something like that would impact the already fragile Chinese economy.

Originally Posted by peter236

China's own domestic demand for consumer products is growing rapidly. They already sell more cars in China than in the US. China is the second largest market for computer/laptop.
Suppose if Apple shifts some production back to the US, but then the products will be way more expensive for all consumers, especially for the developing countries. That is why there is no way Apple can shift all production back to the US, maybe part of the production.

It is a misconception that China is totally dependent on exports to the US. The effect of the slumping US economy on China is overrated. China itself is a large market, especially when its domestic demand is growing rapidly. This is different from Japan where their domestic market is saturated already.

Originally Posted by Trajectory

Well, because the salaries ARE low. At the end of the day, China is still a Communist country where citizens have a lot less freedom and corruption is rampant.



It's not only the US economy that is slumping. And if the US did go bankrupt, China would be royally screwed. The one thing that could happen is that the US started manufacturing our goods right here in the US again instead of outsourcing everything to China. Imagine how something like that would impact the already fragile Chinese economy.

Originally Posted by Olternaut

Will do? They "will" do because they have no choice. Your absolutely right that the average U.S. worker can't compete with that.......

http://www.ihlo.org/IS/001104c.html

http://www.boingboing.net/2009/02/09...king-cond.html *Dorm rooms? *Curfews?*

Too many links.......too too many. Google them yourself.

Originally Posted by vinea

Already cited on...

Originally Posted by Chris_CA

You apparently cannot read what I wrote.
If they feel there is no other option, then it's the easy way out.

Originally Posted by wraithofwonder

It doesn't matter.
He said: "But I need to cite my source for that, and you don't?"
You responded: "Because it's clearly based on your own prejudice of China."

You seemed to put yourself above him and you're not above him. We're all equal here. You have to cite, period. That's all.

It has nothing to do with what you're talking about.

Originally Posted by wraithofwonder

It doesn't matter.

The first thing you can research, explain and cite when explaining is who's polls are these and why should we trust them?

Originally Posted by steviet02

I read your post very clearly,

you are trying to rationalize suicide.

Originally Posted by AppleInsider

A 25-year-old man reportedly committed suicide after an iPhone prototype he was responsible for went missing, leading to alleged "unbearable interrogation techniques" in the ensuing investigation, according to a Chinese publication.

As first reported by ND Daily, the man, Sun Danyong, reportedly had his property seized and was held in solitary confinement after one of 16 prototype iPhones he was responsible for went missing. The man jumped from a 12-story building last week.

As translated by Shanghaiist, the man told his friends before his death that the security guards with Foxconn, the iPhone manufacturing company, had laid hands on him. Chinese media reported that the missing device was a new "4G" iPhone.

In the wake of the incident, officials from Foxconn issued a statement that included an apology. According to Shanghaiist, the section chief of the Central Security division "may have used 'inappropriate interrogation methods' such as searching Sun's house, holding Sun in solitary confinement and possibly beatings." In addition, a Foxconn spokesperson reportedly said the incident is an example of the company's "internal management deficiencies."

Though the section chief has been suspended without pay, security officers who worked with him said it was unlikely that Sun was beaten.

Some, such as DigitalBeat, have taken to citing the incident as an example of the impact of Apple's secretive nature. They conclude that there is great pressure on Foxconn to keep Apple's secrets in order to retain their manufacturing contract.

"(Apple) uses the element of surprise to help build up excitement for its flashy product launches, helping to drive sales and its stock price higher," Eric Eldon writes. "In order to make that happen, Apple exerts immense pressure on its business partners help it maintain secrecy. The missing phone, some sort of new iPhone, has so far been nothing more than speculation among gadget sites."

It's another story of trouble from China for Apple. Just last week, the company's foreign factories came under fire, as a new investigation found that 45 of the 83 factories that built iPhones and iPods in 2008 weren't paying valid overtime rates, and 23 weren't even paying some of their workers China's minimum wage.

Tuesday afternoon, Apple issued a response on the matter to CNet.

"We are saddened by the tragic loss of this young employee and we are awaiting results of the investigations into his death," Apple spokeswoman Kristin Huguet said. "We require our suppliers to treat all workers with dignity and respect."

Originally Posted by jeffharris

Now, THAT'S commitment!

Here in the US, the guy would hire a lawyer and sue, because OBVIOUSLY it was everyone else's fault he lost the prototype. And, goddammit, someone should pay him for all the distress!

THEN try to sell the book and movie rights.

Originally Posted by Tauron

Bullshit.

The guy was entrusted with high value information and failed. He felt shame and decided to end his life. A bit extreme but very honorable. Instead of accusing the factory of treating employees with disrespect or whatever bullshit argument, apple execs should realize that some cultures don't take negligence so lightly as americans do.