It brings revenue to Brazil and jobs to its people. You make it sound as though these people are forced to work there. They aren't. This isn't China. No one locks the doors at night or prevents them from leaving. They are taking a job and choosing to accept the conditions. One day, perhaps, Brazil will become a post-industrial economy and at that time they can choose to enact laws preventing this kind of exploitation. Until then, the country needs the income and the powers that be in Brazil deem the rewards worth the cost. No one is surprised by this "news". It happens en every similar factory. That's just how the world works. The alternative is Samsung pulling out of Brazil and reinvesting in another country. Do you honestly think that's better for the Brazilians who will then find themselves without the means to feed their families? I'm sorry, but even though we in the first works think this sucks, conditions like this are an inevitability of industrialization.
It allows Samsung to sell in Brazil, who have strict rules regarding imports.
I would love to get some feedback from someone who comes from a background where he or his family members had to choose between having a less than desireable job versus unemployment and their children starving. Let's be realistic here. The people commenting here about the conditions are doing so with from their comfy couches on their iPads. I know that's what I'm doing. However, I have a degree in politics (waste of time and money if you're interested) and in every international political economy course I've taken, and all the research I've read, all signs point to foreign investment being necessary for the conversion of pre-industrial societies through industrialization and into post-industrialization. Sweatshops are an inevitable part of that process. They sound bad to us in first world but they create jobs and provide services to areas previously lacking. Those are things the Brazilian government hasn't been able to do for its people. Frankly, this fine is out of proportion to the conditions described, and worse still not one cent will ever been seen in those communities affected by this factory. Corporations will always try to maximize their profits. If Brazil really wants to set an example they should reinvest this massive bounty they intend to reap from Samsung back into the community afflicted in the first place.
For the record: Apple has only cleaned up its act in China (related to working conditions) for fear it would harm them in the long run. Part of what sells Apple as a premium brand is their image and how they are perceived to be a cut above their competition, even as it relates to working conditions. Make no mistake, Apple exists to generate profit, not to do the "right thing".
How about this: Apple has given the appearance of cleaning up its act to maintain its premium image. I wasn't making the point that Apple was doing good things, I was making the point that Apple acted to clean up its production facilities in China in order to maintain its image, not because in some grand scheme of things it was the "right thing" to do. Make sense?
It brings revenue to Brazil and jobs to its people. You make it sound as though these people are forced to work there. They aren't. This isn't China. No one locks the doors at night or prevents them from leaving. They are taking a job and choosing to accept the conditions. One day, perhaps, Brazil will become a post-industrial economy and at that time they can choose to enact laws preventing this kind of exploitation. Until then, the country needs the income and the powers that be in Brazil deem the rewards worth the cost. No one is surprised by this "news". It happens en every similar factory. That's just how the world works. The alternative is Samsung pulling out of Brazil and reinvesting in another country. Do you honestly think that's better for the Brazilians who will then find themselves without the means to feed their families? I'm sorry, but even though we in the first works think this sucks, conditions like this are an inevitability of industrialization.
Bullshit.
FOXCONN has an factory in Brazil and follow ALL the brazilian labor laws!
"Foxconn has operated in Brazil since 2005, and has five plants in Sao Paulo, including an assembly plant for Apple products in Jundiai."
Several sources agree tho that overall worker protection laws are much stronger in Brazil than China. There's a study from Georgetown University than compares and comments on Foxxonn China and Foxconn Brazil if you're interested.
The problems occurs on the newest FOXCONN' factory only.
"Problems at the factory have been exacerbated by the recent hiring of more than a thousand employees. Foxconn was said not to have increased its transport infrastructure with the new hires. The company reportedly had to hire water trucks to bring in water for its employees."
Comments
Quote:
Originally Posted by Alexmit
Now we get to see this image every 2 weeks instead of stock photos of asians in silly blue hats at Foxconn.
At least the Chinese workers have chairs to sit on.
Quote:
Originally Posted by politicalslug
It brings revenue to Brazil and jobs to its people. You make it sound as though these people are forced to work there. They aren't. This isn't China. No one locks the doors at night or prevents them from leaving. They are taking a job and choosing to accept the conditions. One day, perhaps, Brazil will become a post-industrial economy and at that time they can choose to enact laws preventing this kind of exploitation. Until then, the country needs the income and the powers that be in Brazil deem the rewards worth the cost. No one is surprised by this "news". It happens en every similar factory. That's just how the world works. The alternative is Samsung pulling out of Brazil and reinvesting in another country. Do you honestly think that's better for the Brazilians who will then find themselves without the means to feed their families? I'm sorry, but even though we in the first works think this sucks, conditions like this are an inevitability of industrialization.
It allows Samsung to sell in Brazil, who have strict rules regarding imports.
For the record: Apple has only cleaned up its act in China (related to working conditions) for fear it would harm them in the long run. Part of what sells Apple as a premium brand is their image and how they are perceived to be a cut above their competition, even as it relates to working conditions. Make no mistake, Apple exists to generate profit, not to do the "right thing".
Originally Posted by politicalslug
For the record: Apple has only cleaned up its act in China (related to working conditions) for fear it would harm them in the long run.
Prove it.
Quote:
Originally Posted by Tallest Skil
Prove it.
How about this: Apple has given the appearance of cleaning up its act to maintain its premium image. I wasn't making the point that Apple was doing good things, I was making the point that Apple acted to clean up its production facilities in China in order to maintain its image, not because in some grand scheme of things it was the "right thing" to do. Make sense?
Originally Posted by politicalslug
…Apple acted… …to maintain its image, not because in some grand scheme of things it was the "right thing" to do.
Prove. It. What was difficult to understand about my statement before? Do I need to repeat it a third time?
Quote:
Originally Posted by politicalslug
It brings revenue to Brazil and jobs to its people. You make it sound as though these people are forced to work there. They aren't. This isn't China. No one locks the doors at night or prevents them from leaving. They are taking a job and choosing to accept the conditions. One day, perhaps, Brazil will become a post-industrial economy and at that time they can choose to enact laws preventing this kind of exploitation. Until then, the country needs the income and the powers that be in Brazil deem the rewards worth the cost. No one is surprised by this "news". It happens en every similar factory. That's just how the world works. The alternative is Samsung pulling out of Brazil and reinvesting in another country. Do you honestly think that's better for the Brazilians who will then find themselves without the means to feed their families? I'm sorry, but even though we in the first works think this sucks, conditions like this are an inevitability of industrialization.
Bullshit.
FOXCONN has an factory in Brazil and follow ALL the brazilian labor laws!
"Foxconn has operated in Brazil since 2005, and has five plants in Sao Paulo, including an assembly plant for Apple products in Jundiai."
Several sources agree tho that overall worker protection laws are much stronger in Brazil than China. There's a study from Georgetown University than compares and comments on Foxxonn China and Foxconn Brazil if you're interested.
http://lwp.georgetown.edu/2012/04/12/a-closer-look-at-apple-and-foxconn-labor-practices-in-china-and-brazil/
Quote:
Originally Posted by Gatorguy
http://appleinsider.com/articles/12/04/26/foxconn_brazil_workers_reportedly_threaten_strike_over_working_conditions
Several sources agree tho that overall worker protection laws are much stronger in Brazil than China. There's a study from Georgetown University than compares and comments on Foxxonn China and Foxconn Brazil if you're interested.
http://lwp.georgetown.edu/2012/04/12/a-closer-look-at-apple-and-foxconn-labor-practices-in-china-and-brazil/
The problems occurs on the newest FOXCONN' factory only.
"Problems at the factory have been exacerbated by the recent hiring of more than a thousand employees. Foxconn was said not to have increased its transport infrastructure with the new hires. The company reportedly had to hire water trucks to bring in water for its employees."