Foxconn suicide chronicles: tech companies investigate
By Alexis • May 31st, 2010 • Category: Industry News, Lead Story
- Photo: Foxconn
We’ve tried our best to avoid this suicide-related drama happening at major technology supplier Foxconn, in the interest of not being all that morbid. But when more than 10 people dive out of a building in a short space at a company that makes the technology behind many Apple, Nintendo, Dell, Sony and many other technology company’s devices, one can’t ignore it for too long.
China exposed
- Photo: Apple
Foxconn, a Chinese publicly traded company that employs over 480,000 people, makes a lot of the electronic devices we all use everyday. iPods, iPhones, Sony PS3s, Xbox 360s, Intel motherboards – you name it. And the reason for this ubiquity with all this technology is not only engineering skill, but also the best prices. This cost saving offered to clients, however, is passed on to employees, who work in presumably torrid conditions for very long hours with very little pay.
Which, without reducing it to an extreme, has historically been a problem in labour-intensive China.
Ten suicides in less than 6 months
Whatever is happening in Foxconn’s compounds – where employees work and live – has come to head with 12 employees attempting suicide (with ten dying) since 10 January 2010.
A literal safety net
- Photo: Microsoft
In a move that seems aloof and doesn’t really address the problem, Foxconn’s Chairman announced that the company had commissioned to have safety nets put all around the compounds, so as to protect any more people in case they ‘fall’.
Everybody’s investigating
For their parts, technology companies Apple, Nintendo, Dell and a few others have publicly announced that they are investigating the suicides. Regardless of what they find, it’s unlikely immediate action will be taken, with Foxconn’s supply line being best suited to deal with the technology company’s current products, as well as the prospect of expensive and protracted supplier switching being a deterrent.
Tags for this article: Foxconn, technology company
