Apple is first technology company to join Fair Labor Association
The Fair Labor Association announced on Friday that Apple is now a participating member, making it the first technology company to earn that distinction.
By joining the FLA, Apple agrees to have the association independently assess facilities in its supply chain and report detailed findings on the association's website. Apple also agrees to uphold the FLA Workplace Code of Conduct throughout its supply chains, and commit to the association's Principles of Fair Labor and Responsible Sourcing.
"We found that Apple takes supplier responsibility seriously and we look forward to their participation in the Fair Labor Association," Auret van Heerden, FLA's President and CEO, said in a press release. "We welcome Apple's commitment to greater transparency and independent oversight, and we hope its participation will set a new standard for the electronics industry."
The announcement comes the same day that Apple released its annual supplier responsibility report. The 2012 edition is Apple's most extensive yet, with 229 total audits conducted, and found that underage labor was significantly reduced last year among the company's suppliers, with no evidence of intentional underage labor.
"We're extremely proud to be the first technology company admitted to the FLA," said Jeff Williams, Apple's senior vice president of Operations. "Last year we performed more than 200 audits at our supplier's facilities around the world. With the benefit of the FLA's experience and expertise, we will continue to drive improvements for workers and provide even greater transparency into our supply chain."
Comments
Steve was all about making the best possible products, but Tim is unfocused: he wants to make a better world too. So far he has instituted charitable gift matching, turned the Apple Store logos red in the name of AIDS, and now is trying to improve labor conditions in the 3rd world.
Horrible.
If they had made their own factories ( in the US) they would've have had to join this organization.
This is just a PR stunt to move to distance themselves from the recent events.
They had to join because they outsource their product manufacturing to fishy companies like Foxconn.
If they had made their own factories ( in the US) they would've have had to join this organization.
This is just a PR stunt to move to distance themselves from the recent events.
Steve was all about making the best possible products, but Tim is unfocused: he wants to make a better world too. So far he has instituted charitable gift matching, turned the Apple Store logos red in the name of AIDS, and now is trying to improve labor conditions in the 3rd world.
Apple has long advocated for making a better world. Tim is just expanding its scope.
Worth a listen. I'm really glad Apple is doing this - but I think they could a lot more to influence the suppliers (as could Dell, Samsung, Sony, Nokia, HP and all the others).
http://gizmodo.com/5875882/nearly-tw...r-hours-limits
They had to join because they outsource their product manufacturing to fishy companies like Foxconn.
If they had made their own factories ( in the US) they would've have had to join this organization.
This is just a PR stunt to move to distance themselves from the recent events.
Recent events like workers who put together xbox's going on strike/rioting? Funny how apple do the right thing, something that no other tech company has done, and people like you still stick the boot in.
They had to join because they outsource their product manufacturing to fishy companies like Foxconn.
If they had made their own factories ( in the US) they would've have had to join this organization.
This is just a PR stunt to move to distance themselves from the recent events.
Nonsense. Apple could have easily looked the other way and pretended companies like Foxconn doesn't mistreat its workers. Instead, the FLA will now independently audit all facilities in Apple's supply chain. That's a good thing.
Also, companies on American soil are regulated, too. Ever hear of OSHA?!?
The purpose of joining the FLA is to improve the workplace conduct code and to ensure fair labor practices. To me, this suggests Apple is trying to improve conditions, not run/distance itself from them as you suggest.
Steve was all about making the best possible products, but Tim is unfocused: he wants to make a better world too. So far he has instituted charitable gift matching, turned the Apple Store logos red in the name of AIDS, and now is trying to improve labor conditions in the 3rd world.
Horrible.
Yeah... So unfocused.
Steve was all about making the best possible products, but Tim is unfocused: he wants to make a better world too. So far he has instituted charitable gift matching, turned the Apple Store logos red in the name of AIDS, and now is trying to improve labor conditions in the 3rd world.
You do understand Jobs initiated the iPad Red for Aids research, right? Jobs also had Apple donate a significant amount of money to help decent the anti-gay marriage act in California.
Corporations are treated as people under the Constitution. As such, they should engage in charitable causes, as should the rest of us.
They had to join because they outsource their product manufacturing to fishy companies like Foxconn.
If they had made their own factories ( in the US) they would've have had to join this organization.
This is just a PR stunt to move to distance themselves from the recent events.
I don't agree that Apple should build its own factories in the US. Apple doesn't want to be in manufacturing. I, however, think it would be nice for Apple (and other technology companies ) to encourage its suppliers to conduct manufacturing in the US.
It is hypocritical for the US government to rightfully condemn human right conditions in places like China, but than whole heartedly embrace shipping all our manufacturing to these countries thereby enriching and encouraging those countries practices. American workers shouldn't be forced to compete with countries that engage in practice we condemn.
They had to join because they outsource their product manufacturing to fishy companies like Foxconn.
If they had made their own factories ( in the US) they would've have had to join this organization.
This is just a PR stunt to move to distance themselves from the recent events.
I agree. If they cared about labor policies they wouldn't be overseas to begin with.
I love my Apple products, but just like every other American company sending jobs overseas, they care about money above all else, including the welfare of humans, the planet, or any Patriotism to America.
Steve was all about making the best possible products, but Tim is unfocused: he wants to make a better world too. So far he has instituted charitable gift matching, turned the Apple Store logos red in the name of AIDS, and now is trying to improve labor conditions in the 3rd world.
That sounds quite focused to me. What's vague is the assumption implicit in your remark: that making the best possible products is a goal separate from or superior to that of making the best possible world.
They had to join because they outsource their product manufacturing to fishy companies like Foxconn.
If they had made their own factories ( in the US) they would've have had to join this organization.
This is just a PR stunt to move to distance themselves from the recent events.
Really dude? 200+ audits in the past year and this is just a PR stunt to distance themselves from recent events? I guess Apple can predict the future and they did all those audits just for the recent events. (read: sarcasm)
That sounds quite focused to me. What's vague is the assumption implicit in your remark: that making the best possible products is a goal separate from or superior to that of making the best possible world.
In my opinion, total focus on one thing means only doing cause and effect such that the effect will definitely contribute to that thing. This kind of focus is the reason many geniuses wear the same clothes all the time, or are useless at things other people think should be easy. Steve had such product focus and that is what got Apple to where it is, and I worry that Tim does not have that.
For example the free education Apple instituted at supplier factories under Steve makes product better, because the hands making the products are controlled by the minds in those heads, and education makes those minds perform better. But joining an organisation is just a political stunt. It took time to join, and will take time to stay joined, time that could be used directly instituting any improvements on Apple's own recognisance.
That sounds quite focused to me. What's vague is the assumption implicit in your remark: that making the best possible products is a goal separate from or superior to that of making the best possible world.
Exactly. Thank you. And stuff the cynics.
The world could use a few more all around visionaries and I for one don't see any solid reason why capitalism can't coexist with a leftist outlook. Good on him, I say.