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Comment by mithunk | Hacker News Reader

And how are going to make Apple force the issue with companies like Foxconn and Wintek? These conditions are the reason why Apple enjoys the margins it does.

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According to the article, they launched this audit and have already pressed the issue to the point that the three factories in question are no longer employing 15 year-olds.

Apple enjoys high margins because of a very effective marketing strategy, excellent product design, and an extremely loyal customer base. It has nothing to do with the fact that their subcontractors were employing a few underage workers.

You make Apple force the issue with public outcry. It seems to be working; did you read the article?

Yeah, and how often does this occur? How many factories are contracted out to in China by American companies that aren't subjected to public outcry? Apple should face very severe sanctions for allowing this to happen. They are not innocent.

Apple audits their suppliers, finds violations and fixes them, so you want them punished? Not a very good way to encourage other companies to clean up their act.

If you are right about Apple then I retract my statement as it applies to Apple. However, this is not a legal requirement for companies who do business in the United States and it is not a standard practice. Even when it is standard for a company to do this it is done with a wink, so to speak. Companies and consumers in the United States (and Europe) are content to leave the issue of exploited labor out of the public debate. The general justification being that the companies don't actually hire the workers and so their hands are clean. It's convenient and immoral.

My overall point stands and it is sad that it has been down voted so much. It reflects poorly on the social awareness of the rich.

If you are right about Apple then I retract my statement as it applies to Apple.

It says as much in the linked article.

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