Source: Global Post
Global Post reports that protesters from local Taiwanese labor rights groups and trade unions gathered in front of Apple's Taipei office to protest unfair work practices by MacBook display maker Wintek.
The supplier is alleged to have fired more than 600 employees without warning in December, and are alleged to have forced employees to work unpaid overtime in order to fulfill rush orders.
Wintek denies any wrongdoing and sent an email to Global Post explaining that the company was forced to institute "cost saving measures." The company spokesperson went on to state that laid-off workers were given compensation packages.
The protestors hope to pressure Apple, a major Wintek customer, to investigate the display maker and put pressure on Wintek to improve working conditions.
Apple Asia spokesperson, Jill Tan told Global Post via email that, "Apple is committed to ensuring the highest standards of social responsibility wherever our products are [made]," then pointed them to Apple's corporate responsibility information.
oharamj@mac.com
May 21, 2009 at 4:56pm
... given the price premium we pay for Apple products, why can't we make these over here? I know, I know, the manufacturing plants are over there, and it's a competitive industry, and Apple needs the revenue streams to fund new models and technology, and on and on. Still, it's a crying shame that our country has disinvested in its own core manufacturing capacity.
