News

Apple Working to Help iPod Labor Reporters

Wednesday, August 30th, 2006 at 7:50 AM - by

Representatives from Apple Computer confirmed the company is working to help resolve the legal conflict between iPod manufacturer Foxconn, and the two Chinese journalists that exposed substandard factory working conditions. According to Forbes, Apple spokesperson Jill Tan commented "Apple is working behind the scenes to help resolve this issue."

China Business News reporter, Wang You, and editor, Weng Bao, reported on workplace violations at Foxconn's Longhua factory that manufactures iPods for Apple. The article prompted Apple to conduct its own investigation which found that employees were working longer than acceptable hours.

Foxconn has since filed a lawsuit against the journalists claiming that they smeared the company's reputation, and asking for 30 million yuan in damages.It also convinced the court to freeze the journalist's assets.

On Wednesday, Reporters Without Borders sent Steve Jobs a letter asking Apple to intercede on behalf of the journalists.

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brett_x said:

member since 24 Jan 2006 with 312 posts, unranked, send him a message or view his profile

Wed Aug 30, 2006 10:41 am

If that isn't good PR, I don't know what is. Way to go Apple.

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gslusher said:

member since 13 Nov 2002 with 2050 posts, unranked, send him a message or view his profile

Wed Aug 30, 2006 12:56 pm

Perhaps Apple and others could also lobby the Chinese government to actually allow freedom of the press.

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rpaege said:

member since 16 Dec 2005 with 73 posts, unranked, send him a message or view his profile

Wed Aug 30, 2006 3:58 pm

"Perhaps Apple and others could also lobby the Chinese government to actually allow freedom of the press."

I'm sure that will work to convince them

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brett_x said:

member since 24 Jan 2006 with 312 posts, unranked, send him a message or view his profile

Thu Aug 31, 2006 8:43 am

On the way in to work today, I heard that FoxConn has reduced the lawsuit to a symbolic $0.12 (I guess the reporter's $.02 wasn't enough ).

I'm sure we'll see the story here shortly, but that is a great thing. I hope Apple had a lot to do with that.

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