Will Someone Please Think of the Foxconn Workers?

[Hooch Tan]

<div class='os_post_top_link'><a href='http://www.engadget.com/2010/05/19/undercover-chinese-reporter-exposes-foxconn-working-conditions/' target='_blank'>http://www.engadget.com/2010/05/19/...ing-conditions/</a><br /><br /></div><p><em>"While the report doesn't comment on the company's management and support networks (or the lack of) for front-line workers, it appears that the real problem lies in Chinese workers' definition of a "good factory" -- one that pays more by means of offering overtime hours. It's clear what's causing this perception -- there's the sub-standard minimum wage in Shenzhen, and then there are the companies abusing this fact to lure workers with overtime hours above the legal limit."</em></p><p><img src="http://images.thoughtsmedia.com/resizer/thumbs/size/600/dht/auto/1274300158.usr20447.jpg" style="border: 1px solid #d2d2bb;" /></p><p>Factory workers in China is a nice, friendly, charged topic.&nbsp; The topic comes up when someone mentions Walmart, lead paint in children's toys, Apple's products, the list goes on.&nbsp; The most recent exposure highlights two issues with me.&nbsp; First, there are the conditions of working in a factory in China, of which I am of mixed feelings.&nbsp; Sure, the amount they are paid sounds like a pittance in Canada, and the hours worked sound dreadful.&nbsp; However, I also recognize the situation that China is in with developing its infrastructure and economy.&nbsp; When I compare the wages workers earn to what a subsistence farm (not just one person, but the whole farm) makes, the hourly wages suddenly seem quite decent.&nbsp; I also suspect that it would be a considerable disruption to the economy if workers were paid wages comparable to here, potentially making other people destitute beyond belief.&nbsp; The more important aspect of the reports coming out of these factories is that there definitely seems to be a pattern of abuse.&nbsp; China does have labour laws, and factories like Foxconn have been shown to violate those laws.&nbsp; I certainly hope that stops, and it looks like with constant attention from the world, these incidents will be reduced.&nbsp; Unfortunately, I do not think it will ever stop.&nbsp; The overtime abuse in China reminds me of the case between Electronic Arts and some of its employees, and that is in the United States!&nbsp; Exploitation seems to be a universal constant.</p>