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Don't want to be doing whataboutism but I have hard time taking this seriously give in last two months apple was caught, > knowingly used child labor. https:/

Don't want to be doing whataboutism but I have hard time taking this seriously give in last two months apple was caught, > knowingly used child labor. https://www.businessinsider.com/apple-knowingly-used-child-labor-supplier-3-years-cut-costs-2020-12 https://www.businessinsider.com/apple-knowingly-used-child-l... > Using forced muslim labor. https://www.washingtonpost.com/technology/2020/12/29/lens-technology-apple-uighur/ https://www.washingtonpost.com/technology/2020/12/29/lens-te... These are like the worst things a corporation can do. These seem a bit more important to address. no? Apple is a multi trillion $$ company, is it really that hard to create "no child labor in our supply chain" policy. These racial justice initiatives are just a marketing tool to increase their USA sales ? Muslim slave labor doesn't buy iphones so its ok?

blisterpeanuts 6y ago
Well, it's a huge company with far-flung supply networks and they can't control all working conditions (and stay competitive). That said, they are trying to get rid of whatever slave-labor and child-labor taint exists in the supply chain. Probably it's not totally possible if you're sourcing from China and SE Asia, but yeah, they do have to at least make some effort.
- Grustaf 6y ago
  Of course they could control working conditions if they wanted to, Apple and Tim Cook are world leaders in logistics, they probably have the most well-managed supply chain in the history of the universe. They have complete control over every detail they care about and can demand whatever they want from suppliers. If Apple wanted Foxconn workers to wear polka dot hairnets they would be manufactured and distributed within 48 hours. Their competitiveness relies completely on suppliers NOT providing Western level working conditions, then their phones would be way too expensive. Having said all this, it's also important to keep in mind that working conditions in other factories in China are not necessarily better.
jhardy54 6y ago
It's convenient that companies can do more than one thing at a time. I agree that these are also important but I don't think they detract from this cause.
- mensetmanusman 6y ago
  This is a good point. What we don’t know, is whether the intention of these ‘good’ initiatives is to detract and distract from other ‘bad’ things (which would cost a ton of money to fix). E.g. there can be a PR strategy that appears good enough for a political group in power to be the least costly thing to do.
- dominotw 6y ago
  > It's convenient that companies can do more than one thing at a time. where is the other thing though? I don't see what they are doing about issues I mentioned.

blisterpeanuts 6y ago

Well, it's a huge company with far-flung supply networks and they can't control all working conditions (and stay competitive). That said, they are trying to get rid of whatever slave-labor and child-labor taint exists in the supply chain. Probably it's not totally possible if you're sourcing from China and SE Asia, but yeah, they do have to at least make some effort.

Grustaf 6y ago
Of course they could control working conditions if they wanted to, Apple and Tim Cook are world leaders in logistics, they probably have the most well-managed supply chain in the history of the universe. They have complete control over every detail they care about and can demand whatever they want from suppliers. If Apple wanted Foxconn workers to wear polka dot hairnets they would be manufactured and distributed within 48 hours. Their competitiveness relies completely on suppliers NOT providing Western level working conditions, then their phones would be way too expensive. Having said all this, it's also important to keep in mind that working conditions in other factories in China are not necessarily better.

jhardy54 6y ago

It's convenient that companies can do more than one thing at a time. I agree that these are also important but I don't think they detract from this cause.

mensetmanusman 6y ago
This is a good point. What we don’t know, is whether the intention of these ‘good’ initiatives is to detract and distract from other ‘bad’ things (which would cost a ton of money to fix). E.g. there can be a PR strategy that appears good enough for a political group in power to be the least costly thing to do.
dominotw 6y ago
> It's convenient that companies can do more than one thing at a time. where is the other thing though? I don't see what they are doing about issues I mentioned.