I have read (sorry, I can't remember where) that Apple uses Foxconn for manufacturing their products because... (paraphrasing) "If say, we are about to go into production of the iPhone 5 and we have only just now decided to add a new feature to the phone... Foxconn would most likely be able to put that new feature into production in about 6 weeks.  Whereas, if that same scenario were played out in by a manufacturer in the U.S. then, it would take 6 months to a year to put that same new feature into production.  Production changes in the U.S. take longer to put into action, due to expensive equipment changes, hiring personnel, and regulations imposed on the manufacturing process."

So in other words an 1Phone made in China by people who are little more than slaves will cost $40.00 US would cost, if made in the US of A, $400.00 USD? Yeah ... I could see where they might want to pay the little bit but still charge the 'Made in USA' price. Mooney ... money ... money.

There are 13 major US companies on that list of the top 25 companies at FoxConn. After serving this country for 22 years in the military, to see it end up like this is totally embarrassing. I am now ashamed to be an American, and if I could afford it I would leave today.

Tom, companies like those are supra-national... nothing really to do with America per se or being American...

I'm very glad that you're American and both proud and grateful you served as you did.

'It' follows the money. Ten years ago, Apple wasn't front and foremost on the consumers mind. Nike, however, was making the big bucks and it's multi-million dollar endorsement deals were all over the news. Have you noticed you don't hear as much about those deals anymore? They are still being made with kids not even half-way through college. It's part of the standard contract as they make the jump to pro-ball. Nike got smart. Advertising those endorsements was almost as good as the endorsement itself. Now they keep it on the down low and probably have these kids sign something saying they will keep it on the down low as well.

Boycotts by the consumer will never happen when it comes to items that elevate their status, self-esteem (for whatever it's worth), can be justified as a necessity in any way, and excused because it is what it is. This is going to sound horrific but....the consumer will tolerate child labor. They use children to mine for diamonds for crying out loud. There are things that some consumers just don't want to know about because they would have to do something about it and that would just be an inconvenience. The government knows this and participates in this otherwise they wouldn't pass laws that determine the exact amount of rodent hair that is permissible to pass a health inspection at your favorite chocolate plant. If consumers won't boycott something for their own safety, why would they do it for anyone elses?

I don't believe it's a sign of economic recovery at all. I watched a news item about a family struggling to make ends meet, about to lose their trailer, utilities shut off, etc., etc. They have been on a downward spiral for years with the economy and unemployment. Then I saw the mother holding the latest model iphone. I kept waiting for the reporter to ask her how she planned on paying for the wifi coverage and internet minutes, etc., etc.

I think a lot of these people become 'concerned' because it's trendy and because they need to justify their existence. If they gave a crap, they would research the product BEFORE they purchased it but they don't because they WANT it and if they knew everything behind it they couldn't play ignorant anymore. These stories about Foxconn have been going around for years on the news (television, internet, print, radio).

Ignorance is bliss and the new economy is based on deprive and demand.

Very true.

 Apple is not about to give up the profit they make. If they allow the supplier to have higher profit margins, Apple would have to charge more to maintain their own profit margins AND since these suppliers already know what they can get away with why in the hell would they not continue to try and cut corners.

The workers feel trapped. If they could go somewhere else for employment they would. Somewhere with better conditions and the whole nine yards or any kind of improvement at all. Apple knows that these suppliers have the workers by the short-hairs and they don't give a crap. They knew it going in. They have accountants and lawyers who do nothing but figure out where they can go to spend the least amount to have something manufactured, conditions be damned. 

Think about it. If you were only concerned with making as much money as possible and everything else be damned, do  you want to make the parts here in the USA or go to China. Not Mexico or Taiwan but China. China, where the government is getting a cut (which is why the suppliers profit is so small) and the government there will make sure it doesn't lose that revenue by policing the workers, restricting their access to outside influences, threaten them with arrest, harass and run off reporters, arrest protesters, and so on and so on. The one country that refuses to bow to international pressure and will cut down peaceful protesters like a drunk redneck with a .22 taking out beer bottles on his backyard fence. Apple has manged to outsource not just the production but some of the toughest, mindless, heartless security you could imagine.

I love that they are being payed piece rate. I have worked for piece rate and been in management and had to set the times for piece rate. I can't imaging the stress and pressure they put on themselves not to go too fast and make sure new employees don't go to fast - along with the supervisors saying 'faster, faster'. It's gotta be a damn horror of a nightmare considering the hours and what they finally get paid.

I was just reading between the lines of http://www.apple.com/supplierresponsibility/

They CAN control which country they outsource to. JUST like the consumer can vote with their pocket, SO can APPLE.

That's the kind of stuff I expect APPLE to use as an excuse.

Does it make me worse than most if I'm willing to admit that I can't really be bothered by this? If I had a button I could press that would make all of the despicable slave labor stuff go away, I wouldn't hesitate a moment before pressing it, and I'm glad to see any of the corrupt fuckers to burn, but I accept that things are the way they are and that I exploit the lives of millions of people every day as I live in the western world. I'm not about to go out of my way to sacrifice my living quality for them. Emphasis on "out of my way"; easy and clear decisions to help out are no-brainers.

I also admit that I don't deserve this quality of life anymore than any of the workers at Foxconn deserve the misery they have. It's all about probabilities, and I've struck gold on that, and so have you guys. There's plenty of parts where I've been shit out of luck, too. It is what it is, and when I can make easy choices to help others out I take them. But as days go by, I don't really lose any sleep over this. The world is a tough place, and most life gets crushed before it has any chance to thrive.

And that's what they need to put on the t-shirts they should give out with all products associated with such conditions. It would make life so much easier and we'd all get a free t-shirt to boot. Maybe Kid-Rock could make the t-shirts?