Molly Wood at CNET:
The company has been actively auditing its suppliers for labor, health, safety, and other concerns since 2007. Yet, as the Times points out, problems remain–the kinds of problems that kill people. It’s time for Apple to get serious, publicly and with vehemence, about addressing safety and rights violations, and firing suppliers who don’t comply.
Is it fair to single out Apple?
It’s a valid question but one without an easy answer.
I can already see that like too many hot button issues, this is degenerating into a topic where any attempt to argue for Apple’s leadership in this area is read as automatic support for slave labour. It’s apparent to me, especially in comments sections and lower quality opinion sites and articles, that people who quite frankly don’t give a shit how the labour system works in China are using this issue as a virtual cudgel to attack Apple. These histrionics will overshadow actual investigative reports and thought provoking articles on China, international trade and human rights.
Pointing out that Apple has made great strides in taking responsibility for its supply chain is not an attempt to let Apple off the hook. Asking that Apple, with it’s influence and vast resources, do more to secure better working conditions in China and elsewhere is not unreasonable.
If Apple’s popularity is used to raise awareness of the human cost of cheap electronics, that is not a bad thing. But if the situation is portrayed as having been created, maintained and within Apple’s power to change by fiat, it does no one any good. Such a portrayal will almost certainly lead to simplistic nonsense where buying electronics from anyone but Apple will let consumers off the hook.