4. Assemble

When components are imported from suppliers, they are sent to several main assembly facilities. Workers in the assembly facilities integrate all components into the final model.

Two Taiwan companies, Foxconn and Pegatron, take charge of assembling process. Two companies place their assembly facilities mostly in mainland China and others in Brazil, both countries are known for its relatively cheaper labor and comparatively higher capacity.


Assemble facilities around the world:

Picture5

The labor cost from China account for very little percentage of retail price. And workers also had to work more than 12-hour to meet large demand from Foxconn and Apple. Low wages and tense working condition lead to pressure and emotionally imbalance placed on Chinese workers employed by Foxconn. When several workers suicide and collective actions were held, Foxconn and Apple began to realized how serious the situation is.(New Technology, Work & Employment).

Apple released out suppliers responsibility program to ensure workers from their supply chain are under maximum 60-hour workweek and protect student workers from exploitation. (Apple Supplies Responsibility 2014 Progress Report)

As a public company, Apple should know their social responsibility clearly. Making profit should not be the excuse of squeezing workers.


 

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