.gif)
Apple under fire in Taiwan
Labor groups target a supplier of the U.S. computer giant.
TAIPEI — Labor rights groups are stepping up their campaign against a Taiwanese supplier for Apple Computer.
They have accused the company, flat-panel maker Wintek, of exploiting workers at its factories in Taiwan and its subsidiary's factory in China.
The groups organized a protest outside Apple's Taipei office on Thursday morning, targeting the U.S. computer giant for the first time.
They say Wintek has not fully addressed their demands after months of negotiations, so they're taking their campaign to one of its high-profile customers.
"We want to go through Apple to put pressure on Wintek," said Chu Wei-li, 30, secretary-general of the Taipei-based National Federation of Independent Trade Unions, a key organizer of the protest.
The labor groups allege that Wintek fired more than 600 workers without warning in December, slashed salaries and made employees work unpaid overtime to fill rush orders.
The rights groups further allege that a Wintek subsidiary in Dongguan, China, cut workers' salaries without negotiation, has unacceptable working conditions and illegally fired 19 workers after a strike in mid-April. (See detailed allegations here.)
Wintek denies any wrongdoing. In an e-mail, spokesperson Susie Lee said Wintek posted record net losses in 2008 due to the global downturn, and was forced to institute "cost-saving measures."
It says it gave laid-off workers compensation packages, and that all of its policies are in line with local laws and regulations, as well as its supplier "code of conduct" agreements.
"We hope ... certain persons or groups do not [make] unfounded allegations to harm Wintek's reputation and affect the normal business activities of a law-abiding company," Lee wrote. "Wintek shall take relevant necessary steps including legal action in order to protect company and stakeholders interests."
Apple's Asia spokesperson Jill Tan said in an e-mail, "Apple is committed to ensuring the highest standards of social responsibility wherever our products are [made]," and pointed me to the firm's corporate responsibility information.
Apple conducts regular audits of suppliers to make sure they comply with Apple's code of conduct, Tan said, and "we require corrective actions when we find violations."
Thanks,very interesting post 
Well well well. What's new here? First world nations have been exploiting Asia for decades now. I guess all that's changed is that it's no longer Nike sweat shops but computers now. Same practices, different industry...
Well done Jonathan! The scope of greed never seems to surprise me anymore. ....
Well worth the read. Thanks for sharing this information. I got a chance to know about this.
This is probably more a case of the company being so large that it is impossible for the top level to keep track of everything that goes on...
Jobs is a bit of a nutter but I doubt he'd knowingly use a sweat shop.
Great post Jonathan.Thanks for sharing.
That happens in all countries with these corporations.
Recent on China and its neighbors:
Opinion: China contributes to Dalai Lama’s mystique
HDS Greenway - Worldview - February 8, 2010 11:05 ET
The more the Chinese threaten and scold, the more they promote the Dalai Lama's importance around the world.
Adventure travel: The Great Himalaya Trail?
Jason Overdorf - India - February 4, 2010 07:11 ET
Why walk Everest, K2, and other mountain giants? Because they are there.
Opinion: How did China get double-digit economic growth?
Joel Brinkley - Worldview - February 3, 2010 11:17 ET
By dealing with some of the world's most repugnant regimes. Iran is just the latest on a long, long list.
Analysis: Taiwan says hello to arms
Jonathan Adams - China and its neighbors - February 2, 2010 14:56 ET
Taiwan asked for weapons from the US years ago, and most on the island back the deal.
Analysis: China's tougher than before
Kathleen E. McLaughlin - China and its neighbors - February 2, 2010 13:12 ET
Washington is hardening its stance, China is rising to the occasion and there's likely trouble down the line.
Special Report
Thomas Mucha - Commerce - January 28, 2010 17:24 ET
20 correspondents, 20 countries and a world of pain. Meet the ground truth of the global economic crisis.
Mac Rumor Alert: What Apple's "iTablet" could mean for Asia
Jonathan Adams - China and its neighbors - January 27, 2010 09:48 ET
Here's the latest chatter about the supply chain of the coming Apple gadget — if it really exists.
Kidnapping in China
Colum Murphy - China and its neighbors - January 27, 2010 06:40 ET
As the number of child kidnappings in Shenzhen grows, so too does distrust between parents and police.
China v. Google: Beijing fights back
Kathleen E. McLaughlin - China and its neighbors - January 25, 2010 20:14 ET
The Chinese government takes a swing at Hillary Clinton. How bad can this get?
Taiwan rocks: They're loud. They're angry. They hate the Chinese government.
Jonathan Adams - China and its neighbors - January 24, 2010 08:25 ET
Meet Chthonic, Taiwan's premier metal act. Don't expect to see them in China anytime soon.
The Fantastic Five: Best photos of the week
News Desk - General - January 23, 2010 09:16 ET
Best pictures include a Madrid storefront, aid delivery in Haiti and an aboriginal Australian Elvis impersonator.
Police shut down Mr. Gay China competition in Beijing
Dinah Gardner - China and its neighbors - January 15, 2010 12:59 ET
Restrictions on homosexuality have relaxed in recent years, but state still keeps a watchful eye.
Unesco, China and a Uighur mystery
Kathleen E. McLaughlin - China and its neighbors - January 13, 2010 06:39 ET
What are the Chinese up to in the Old City of Kashgar, the Uighur "Jerusalem"?
Economic worries in Indonesia? Blame the Chinese.
Peter Gelling - Indonesia - January 10, 2010 07:56 ET
A new regional trade deal raises tensions between two rising economic powers.
Can China save General Motors?
Thomas Mucha - Commerce - January 9, 2010 10:06 ET
Seven thousand miles from Detroit, GM builds a great wall of Buicks.
The Whiskey Diaries: Scotland in Taiwan
Jonathan Adams - China and its neighbors - January 5, 2010 06:36 ET
Can Taiwan produce a world-class tipple?
Taiwan's over-the-top pleasure dens
Jonathan Adams - China and its neighbors - January 4, 2010 06:44 ET
Love Motel 2.0
Jonathan Adams - China and its neighbors - January 4, 2010 06:42 ET
Taiwan's love motels are stepping up their game with outrageous themes, web movie marketing and extra privacy.
Holiday shopping: The next big thing in Taiwan?
Jonathan Adams - China and its neighbors - December 23, 2009 06:59 ET
A look behind the booming business of e-books. It's a page turner.
Watch GlobalPost videos:
Reporter's Notebook
Last month I wrote about Kavalan, Taiwan's first bid to create a world-class, single-malt whiskey. It's got its fair share of skeptics. Just...Read more >
Chinese political activist Liu Xiaobo's trial and sentencing has happened when the Western world is least likely to be paying attention. "The...Read more >
What's the secret to great sword-making? You've gotta add a dash of human bone, according to one Taiwanese swordsmith. The Associated Press has...Read more >
Featured: Special Projects
Oceans:
Assessing their health
After the Fall:
20 years since the Berlin Wall came down
Life, Death and the Taliban:
Videos and stories
Study Abroad:
Students report from the road
Living in the Shadows:
An intimate look at China's migrant workers
A World of Trouble:
The global economy in 20 hotspots
Comments:
8 Comments.
Login or Register to post comments