Every year for the last 4 years, Apple has spent 50% more on labor[1]. Mainly because it’s hiring so many new employees, but also because it’s raising salaries

Every year for the last 4 years, Apple has spent 50% more on labor[1]. Mainly because it’s hiring so many new employees, but also because it’s raising salaries and benefits. As of September 2012, Apple had 76,100 employees, including 42,400 Apple retail store employees. Operating expenses in FY2012 divided by the total number of employees were $176,360. As for employees at Apple’s suppliers, Apple releases a Supplier Responsibility report every year[2], in which they detail exactly what they’ve done to ensure suppliers treat their workers well. Apple already made Foxconn pay their workers more in past years, but the pay increase alone is not a good solution. From Apple’s latest report: “Third-party labor agencies help many suppliers recruit contract workers from other countries. [...] Workers are often required to pay fees to each of these agencies to gain employment. [...] They must hand over a high proportion of their wages to recruiters to pay this debt, and they have to remain at the job until the debt is paid. We consider this a form of bonded labor, and it is strictly prohibited by our Supplier Code of Conduct. When we find violations, suppliers must reimburse excessive recruitment fees—anything higher than the equivalent of one month’s net wages—for any eligible contract worker found working on Apple projects.” [1] Apple annual report FY2012: http://files.shareholder.com/downloads/AAPL/2439775143x0xS1193125-12-444068/320193/filing.pdf http://files.shareholder.com/downloads/AAPL/2439775143x0xS11... [2] Apple Supplier Responsibility report 2013: http://www.apple.com/supplierresponsibility/ http://www.apple.com/supplierresponsibility/