There’s been a lot of scrutiny on Apple’s workplace conditions for factory workers in its assembly plants in China lately. Last week, demonstrators marched on Apple stores around the world delivering stacks of signed petitions challenging the company to make a more “ethical” phone. And today Apple announced audits at Foxconn and other assembly plants that began this morning. Apple says the Fair Labor Association will conduct voluntary audits which include interviews with workers, dorm room inspections, and assembly floor conditions.
In typical Apple fashion, the press release doesn’t mention the petition or public anger; rather, it highlights the company’s commitment to fair labor practices. From Apple CEO, Tim Cook: “The inspections now underway are unprecedented in the electronics industry, both in scale and scope, and we appreciate the FLA agreeing to take the unusual step of identifying the factories in their reports.”
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