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View Full Version : Apple Ranking in Chinese Labor and Environmental Issues: Last


Michael Knutson
01-26-2011, 02:00 AM
<div class='os_post_top_link'><a href='http://www.digitaltrends.com/mobile/report-puts-apple-last-on-labor-environmental-issues-in-china/' target='_blank'>http://www.digitaltrends.com/mobile...ssues-in-china/</a><br /><br /></div><p><em>"A consortium of 36 Chinese environmental groups has published a report (Chinese, PDF) that ranks Apple last among 29 multinational companies in terms of dealing with the environmental impact of its operations in China as well as the environmental impact of its activities."</em></p><p><img src="http://images.thoughtsmedia.com/resizer/thumbs/size/600/at/auto/1296003937.usr17748.jpg" style="border: 1px solid #d2d2bb;" /></p><p>Not looking particularly good here, Apple. Despite publishing their own report on supplier responsibility in 2010 (for 2009) that uncovered (and remediated?) a number of health and safety issues, this report states that Apple's record on labor and environmental issues appears less than stellar. These are vendors for Apple, and not corporate facilities, making me wonder just how much regard for the bottom line (and shareholder profitability) clashes with regard for health and safety. How much are Apple shareholders willing to spend to alleviate these concerns? Anything? Anyone have a guess?</p>

gdoerr56
01-26-2011, 06:53 PM
Just amazing that Apple is being listed as the responsible party here.

Apple is a customer of companies like Foxconn that are Chinese companies with operations in China. While they certainly have some responsibilities to choose ethical vendors, I don't believe Apple should be responsible for their vendors environmental or ethical records.

Imagine a US company like Boeing blaming chinese airlines from polution caused by the production of the 737s and 777s they bought. Boeing would be skewered if they tried that.

If the Chinese want to have a better environment then they should establish the appropriate regulations to make it happen and not always place ALL blame on their foreign customers.

The chinese companies are always the lowest cost providers. There are many reasons for that.