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Why is everyone so fixated on just Apple? I am sure these type of conditions and issues exist for the majority of companies manufacturing in China. I believe

Why is everyone so fixated on just Apple? I am sure these type of conditions and issues exist for the majority of companies manufacturing in China. I believe that we should be just as outraged with everyone who is, in essence, supporting these practices. I am aware that outsourcing involves giving up some control but it doesn't absolve one of moral and inhumane abuses caused in the process.

craigmccaskill 15y ago
It's easy to focus on Apple because they're making an awful lot of money. Selling a premium product with a profit margin of 60% [1], this race to the bottom for labour costs becomes questionable. [1] http://tech.fortune.cnn.com/2010/03/02/what-doth-it-profit-an-iphone/ http://tech.fortune.cnn.com/2010/03/02/what-doth-it-profit-a...
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shadowfiend 15y ago
At the moment, it really seems like the only reason Apple is being fixated on is because they're the ones that are publishing some of the most detailed first-hand accountings of what's going on within their supply chain. Greater transparency, in this case, is translating to a disadvantage. I don't think they're the only ones, but some cursory Googling reveals plenty of companies with codes of conduct, and some even with detailed explanations, but few if any with detailed reports, annual or otherwise. In essence, they're being proactive—in part because they can afford to be—and getting skewered because they're giving people a peek under the hood. That's one part. The other is of course that they are wildly profitable, in part through large profit margins, and the question arises of “can't you cut into those margins to pay your workers better”. Though this latter one is not only true of Apple, Apple is perhaps one of the most visible companies to whom it can apply.
- schraeds 15y ago
  Also, they are the most successful and wealthiest company in the world.

craigmccaskill 15y ago

It's easy to focus on Apple because they're making an awful lot of money. Selling a premium product with a profit margin of 60% [1], this race to the bottom for labour costs becomes questionable. [1] http://tech.fortune.cnn.com/2010/03/02/what-doth-it-profit-an-iphone/ http://tech.fortune.cnn.com/2010/03/02/what-doth-it-profit-a...

deleted 15y ago

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shadowfiend 15y ago

At the moment, it really seems like the only reason Apple is being fixated on is because they're the ones that are publishing some of the most detailed first-hand accountings of what's going on within their supply chain. Greater transparency, in this case, is translating to a disadvantage. I don't think they're the only ones, but some cursory Googling reveals plenty of companies with codes of conduct, and some even with detailed explanations, but few if any with detailed reports, annual or otherwise. In essence, they're being proactive—in part because they can afford to be—and getting skewered because they're giving people a peek under the hood. That's one part. The other is of course that they are wildly profitable, in part through large profit margins, and the question arises of “can't you cut into those margins to pay your workers better”. Though this latter one is not only true of Apple, Apple is perhaps one of the most visible companies to whom it can apply.

schraeds 15y ago
Also, they are the most successful and wealthiest company in the world.