News Update: Foxconn & Apple Inc. Picketed in Hong Kong Over Worker Suicides (AAPL)

Protestors picketed Apple Inc. (NASDAQ:AAPL) supplier Foxconn's annual shareholder meeting held in Hong Kong Tuesday, accusing the world's largest electronics and computer components manufacturer of poor corporate ethics.

Eleven Foxconn workers killed themselves this year and three more attempted suicide on Foxconn grounds in China, mostly from leaping off of buildings.

About 30 protestors picketed and some signs read, "Workers are not machines. They have self-esteem."

A cardboard cut-out of Apple CEO Steve Jobs also made an appearance to get the message across that demonstrators are blaming Apple for the suicides as well.

The cut-out of Jobs came complete with devil horns and a separate placard that featured the company logo and text that read, "Bloody Apple."

Demonstrators put out white flowers at a local Apple store as a tribute.

Protest organizer Debby Chan said that Apple should have done a better job to monitor their suppliers' labor and safety standards, and accused Foxconn of inadequate management.

"They should strengthen their sense of corporate social responsibility," said Chan in a phone interview with the Associated Press.

Labor activists agree with Chan, saying that the electronics giant has a too-strict management style, an overly speedy assembly line and forced overtime work - allegations that Foxconn denies.

Neither Foxconn nor Apple have commented on the protests, but Foxconn officials earlier did implement two pay raises for workers, hired staff counselors and said they are installing safety nets on the sides of factory buildings.

Shares of Apple closed Monday at $250.94.

Category:

News & Politics

Tags:

• aapl
• apple
• foxconn
• steve
• jobs
• debby
• chan
• bloody

[RickCheizelton]

plah-cuard .............lol

[kabol69]

so wtf!! this was on us news for about ten mins and nothing more, i youtube it and there isnt anything about it. i figured this was only a one time thing. but today on the news it said something about them replacing the workers with machines and thats why they were going to kill themselfs, then about 15 mins later they say its bacause they all wanted better pay... u be the judge

[deejayzyx]

can you come read my music news?

[Spartanlasar]

Damn it look at the CAMERA

[azascan]

She's reading it for the first time....that's some painfull shit to mentally digest for anyone and probably has an iPhone and peachy life so flood of guilt and reality must have poured over her soul as she read it....even if she read the story before...because in all actuallity the cheap goods we buy is made by someone WITH A FUCKING GUN TO THERE HEAD

[metubegirl69er]

@xxhennersxx its ok, she is pretty to look at..

I watch with the volume down anyway .JK

[xxhennersxx]

man, for a news reporter...she sure stumbles over words a lot.

[iryan74656]

You hot sexy honey.