ABC news became the first channel that was offered an exclusive look inside Foxconn, the company which manufactures Apple's products. The documentary has been named A Trip To The iFactory, and is definitely a must watch.
Apple and Foxconn both have gained considerable negative publicity over working conditions at the latter's factories in China. Nine Foxconn workers committed suicide over a period of three months which further added fuel to the fire. This is the first time any news channel has been allowed in to the facilities. The Fair Labour Association, which Apple joined only recently, has also carried out an audit of Foxconn.
A Trip To The iFactory sheds light on the various problems, per se, faced by Foxconn workers. Workers share cramped bunk bed filled dormitories with seven other employees. In order to curb suicides Foxconn installed nets that virtually make it impossible for a worker to end his or her own life. Workers pay rent for these dormitories and they also have to pay for their own meals at the cafeteria. Foxconn has nearly doubled salaries after the suicides however it does not provide free accommodation or meals.
The shifts are 12 hours long with only two one hour breaks for meals. Starting salary is $1.78 per hour. 10,000 iPad unibody shells can be created in one hour. Manufacturing one iPad requires 325 workers which complete the whole job in just 5 days. The iPhone manufacturing line goes through 141 steps that are all done by hand. Most of the workers are in their late teens, one can only imagine how parents in the US would feel about their children working 12 hour long shifts for!
Sentiment in China differs however. Jobs can not be ignored in the world's most populated country because of how hard or how low paying they may be. Some workers come from far flung areas of China and they are actually content with the working conditions as well as the pay. To be fair, it should be noted that Foxconn manufactures products for Intel, Dell, Nokia and a variety of other companies as well. Apple being one of the world's most valuable company is taking all the heat.
Below we've attached a 15 minute part of A Trip To The iFactory documentary. Unfortunately ABC news has restricted online viewing to US residents only. This particular clip is available on YouTube right now, but there's always the possibility of it being taken down. See it while it lasts.