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Chinese workers urge Apple to act on n-hexan

both are liable

Why Apple?? It simply outsourced the production but it was actually Wintek which employed those workers. Apple won't even be knowing what all was going behind the veils in the factory's located across the seas in China. The point is Wintek provided the deadly chemical to its workers not Apple so why blame Apple.
 
Why Apple?? It simply outsourced the production but Wintek employed those workers. Apple won't even be knowing what all is going behind the veils in the factory's located across seas in China. The point is Wintek provided the deadly chemical to its workers not Apple.

They know exactly what is going on. You think they do not visit their own manufacturing centers?
 
They know exactly what is going on. You think they do not visit their own manufacturing centers?

I doubt so... even in the article it mentions, I quote below (note the bold part):
Chinese workers at a factory making touch screens on contract for Apple have urged the US company to help address their grievances over a chemical poisoning they said could still harm their health.

I think they are requesting Apple to force Wintek to address these concerns. And btw they are not Apple's manufacturing centers, Apple is just give a manufacturing contract to them, so I highly doubt they would be legally liable for the employees.
 
Here is the report from Apple on this incident. You can read in more details at the following link:
http://images.apple.com/supplierresponsibility/pdf/Apple_SR_2011_Progress_Report.pdf

In 2010, we learned that 137 workers at the Suzhou facility of Wintek, one of Apple’s suppliers, had suffered adverse health effects following exposure to n-hexane, a chemical in cleaning agents used in some manufacturing processes. We discovered that the factory had reconfigured operations without also changing their ventilation system. Apple considered this series of incidents to be a core violation for worker endangerment.

We required Wintek to stop using n-hexane and to provide evidence that they had removed the chemical from their production lines. In addition, Apple required them to fix their ventilation system. Since these changes, no new workers have suffered diffculties from chemical exposure. To prevent future incidents at this facility, we required Wintek to work with a consultant to improve their Environmental Health and Safety processes and management systems. We are monitoring the implementation of these corrective actions and preventive measures, and will conduct a complete
reaudit of the facility in 2011.

In parallel, Apple has verified that all affected workers have been treated successfully, and we continue to monitor their medical reports until full recuperation. Following China law, Wintek has paid medical treatment, meals, and foregone wages for sick or recuperating workers. A majority of the
137 workers have returned to employment at the same factory
.
 
Workers still seeking redress from Apple - People's Daily Online February 23, 2011

Agitated Chinese workers suffering from a chemical poisoning at one of Apple Inc's supplier factories felt a sense of relief on Tuesday when the US company started to take action to remedy defects in its supply chain.

Speaking on Tuesday, the victims said Apple Inc had sent representative to listen to the demands of the Chinese workers who were poisoned at United Win Technology, a factory in Suzhou, Jiangsu province. The operation is owned by the Taiwan-based Wintek Corp, which produces iPhone components for Apple.

"One man surnamed Wu, who claimed he is an Apple employee, came to us this afternoon and asked about our health conditions, as well as our demands," said Hu Jie, one of the 37 victims who kept working at the factory after the poisoning scandal.

"We're glad that Apple is starting to hear our voices. But we are concerned over whether the company will meet our needs, since the representative didn't set a date for giving us a reply."

Huang Yu'na, a corporate communications manager at Apple China, declined to confirm that the visit had taken place. Huang told China Daily that the company has no comment to make about the situation beyond those that are included in its supplier responsibility 2011 progress report, which was released on Feb 15.

The company acknowledged for the first time in the report that 137 workers at Wintek's Suzhou factory had suffered adverse health effects following their exposure to n-hexane, a chemical found in the cleaning agents used in some manufacturing processes.

The chemical, which evaporates faster than alcohol, was used at the factory for about a year in order to speed up the production of touch screens for Apple products. The factory has returned to using alcohol in its manufacturing.

In the wake of the scandal, Apple has been under public pressure to supervise its suppliers' practices and to exhibit corporate social responsibly by helping the poisoned workers.

"We have three things to ask from Apple," Hu said. "One is to give us a formal rewritten apology. The second is to work with its supplier to have an independent third party hospital give us a follow-up medical examination and proper treatment. The third is fair compensation, since our future lives and careers may be affected by this poisoning."

Apple said in its report that a majority of the 137 workers harmed by n-hexane returned to their jobs at the same factory after the poisoning. But 100 of them had quit by Monday, following their receipt of compensation packages ranging in value from 80,000 yuan to 140,000 yuan ($12,152-$21,266).

They also signed exemption agreements, saying Apple would not be held responsible if their health worsened in the future. The remaining 37 workers have received from 10,000 yuan to 30,000 yuan worth of disability benefits in their paychecks.

By Qian Yanfeng, China Daily
 
Indians are more concerned about China's issues then India's issues.Bravo.China should grant you guys Chinese Nationality.

Yes we are concerned as human beings and we don't need anything in return for being humane. Thanks!
 
Indians are more concerned about China's issues then India's issues.Bravo.China should grant you guys Chinese Nationality.
I don't understand if I am supposed to (read allowed to) post in threads posted in World Affairs section or not. If there is such a restriction, then I rest my case, if not I am trying to have a sane argument... one of the few remaining threads not infested with incessant trolling from both sides.
I am open to discuss at length the issues concerning India's labor industry... but in an appropriate thread and appropriate time.
 
I doubt so... even in the article it mentions, I quote below (note the bold part):


I think they are requesting Apple to force Wintek to address these concerns. And btw they are not Apple's manufacturing centers, Apple is just give a manufacturing contract to them, so I highly doubt they would be legally liable for the employees.

Apple would have known about it but probably chooses to ignore the issue. It is not the first time a US corporation got caught with their pants down.

Some workers recalled that representatives from Apple had visited the factory, but they never told them n-hexane, which was used to increase the output and rate of qualified products for Apple, was toxic and harmful," the report said
Apple targeted in China pollution, work safety report

But ultimately both should be held responsible, anyone in manufacturing knows how tightly the margins are squeezed and Apple probably stuck it to the manufacturers to deliver the products priced to the bare minimum with crazy criteria's which lead manufacturers to find other ways to increase productivity and revenue.

Ultimately its a dog eat dog world, when China workers suffer because of hexan the US companies will say its the manufacturers fault, when US companies distributes lead paint toys and US consumers suffer its also the manufacturers fault. But hey toys take precedent because its a US citizen being impacted not a lowly Chinese worker. And thats the way it works
 
Apple would have known about it but probably chooses to ignore the issue. It is not the first time a US corporation got caught with their pants down.
You forget that Apple is one of the most pro-active companies engaged towards a better working environment for its employees. Whenever an outsourcing contract is given to a foreign manufacturer, Apple has to rely and trust the manufacturer to meet its working standards.

Some workers recalled that representatives from Apple had visited the factory, but they never told them n-hexane, which was used to increase the output and rate of qualified products for Apple, was toxic and harmful," the report said
But ultimately both should be held responsible, anyone in manufacturing knows how tightly the margins are squeezed and Apple probably stuck it to the manufacturers to deliver the products priced to the bare minimum with crazy criteria's which lead manufacturers to find other ways to increase productivity and revenue.
Ultimately its a dog eat dog world, when China workers suffer because of hexan the US companies will say its the manufacturers fault, when US companies distributes lead paint toys and US consumers suffer its also the manufacturers fault. But hey toys take precedent because its a US citizen being impacted not a lowly Chinese worker. And thats the way it works
The people and the govt can keep blaming the parent company, but as I have mentioned before, the workers health and well being is the responsibility of the company on whose payroll the workers are. In this case it was Wintek and its management should be the one responsible for its workers. Thats the way it works for most businesses around the world.
 
The people and the govt can keep blaming the parent company, but as I have mentioned before, the workers health and well being is the responsibility of the company on whose payroll the workers are. In this case it was Wintek and its management should be the one responsible for its workers. Thats the way it works for most businesses around the world.

Of course Wintek is responsible for it's own workers. But the products and product specifications are given by Apple, along with manufacturing standards. Wintek cannot produce Apple products without following the procedure approved by Apple. So it is my guess that m-hexane was approved by Apple to use in production. Hence, Apple is also liable.
 
Of course Wintek is responsible for it's own workers. But the products and product specifications are given by Apple, along with manufacturing standards. Wintek cannot produce Apple products without following the procedure approved by Apple. So it is my guess that m-hexane was approved by Apple to use in production. Hence, Apple is also liable.

Refer to post #20, where I quoted an extract from the official Apple annual supplier report. There are other interesting revelations in the report as well... good read if you have time.
Small excerpt from #20:
We discovered that the factory had reconfigured operations without also changing their ventilation system. Apple considered this series of incidents to be a core violation for worker endangerment.

The operational reconfiguration could point to the fact that Wintek took short cuts to use n-hexane to reduce the time and hence maximize profit. My point being that Apple may not be liable according to the Chinese law, but morally I agree that they could very well afford to compensate the affected workers... after all they seem to be making billions in profit every quarter.
 
The legal liability actually depends on the agreement between Wintek and Apple, though if Apple DID approve use of n-hexane, then they might be liable. Regarding the 'operational reconfiguration' part, that could mean anything from using different raw material, inadequate ventilation system, to inadequate training of workers and improper safety procedures. Apple will have to clarify if the use of n-hexane was a 'violation' of agreement or whether that was approved.

Anyways, I consider Apple to be a responsible company and they will settle this matter post-haste. They need to keep up their public image after all.
 
You forget that Apple is one of the most pro-active companies engaged towards a better working environment for its employees. Whenever an outsourcing contract is given to a foreign manufacturer, Apple has to rely and trust the manufacturer to meet its working standards.

Mate the report cited by the government indicates apple as one of the worse offenders for workplace safety, true maybe the govt is just trying to find fault with Apple. But lets not forget the suicides at Foxconn is that a coincidence?

Ultimately if you have anyone in the manufacturing servicing a US customer like Wal Mart, Dell or the infamous Apple you would know the requirements set by the customer are ridiculous, one of the reasons for Foxconn fortress like compound where the workers hardly go out is due a confidentiality clause set by Apple.

An interesting quote from this site

"US market research agency iSuppli found that Apple pays an assembly fee of US$11.2 per unit to Foxconn, a trivial amount when the selling price of an iPad is US$499. The cost of all parts of an iPad comes out to US$219.35, less than half its retail price."
'Made in China' costs only US$11.2 - China.org.cn


The people and the govt can keep blaming the parent company, but as I have mentioned before, the workers health and well being is the responsibility of the company on whose payroll the workers are. In this case it was Wintek and its management should be the one responsible for its workers. Thats the way it works for most businesses around the world.

Unfortunately business does not work that way all around the world, if Apple tried the same nonsense in the US they would have more lawsuits then
Ipads sold. Its the same reason why the people Ecuador remain poor and poisoned by Chevron spill while Americans whine about the BP spill impacting their business.

I totally put blame on both the manufacturer and the parent company.
 

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