Apple's health and safety problems
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Editor's notes:
While Apple is enjoying hot worldwide sales of its fashion electronics, its health and environmental responsibilities have come under fire in China. The Apple case caught the attention of employers in labor-intensive industries, some of whom are waking up to the importance of providing safe and sanitary workplaces.
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Timeline |
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• From Aug.2008 to July 2009 |
Employees of Apple's China suppliers suffered muscular atrophy and damage to their nervous system after using a chemical, n-hexane |
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• Jan.20,2011 |
A report by 36 environmental groups, The Other Face of Apple released |
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• Feb.15,2011 |
Apple Inc.released its annual Supplier Responsibility Progress Report |
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• Feb., 2011 |
58 poisoned workershave resigned with a one-time subsidy. |
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• Feb. 18,2010 |
Poisoned workers have demanded a formal written apology from the Mac maker. |
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• Feb21,2010 |
100 of the 137 had left the factory with compensation of US$12,166 to US$21,291 |
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• Feb 22,2010 |
The victims said Apple Inc had sent representative to listen to the demands of the Chinese workers who were poisoned and they still are seeking redress from Apple. |
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News |
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Views of Different Sides |
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Victims |
Environmental NGOs |
Apple Inc. |
Supplier factories |
Analysts |
Gov't |
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"They have three things to ask: a formal rewritten apology;a follow-up medical examination and fair compensation" |
Calling for factory owners and big international brands to be socially responsible - to build a greener and safer supply chain and to alleviate harm to workers and the environment |
Apple has been under public pressure to supervise its suppliers' practices and to exhibit corporate social responsibly by helping the poisoned workers. |
Suppliers hope they can get more support on environmental matters |
"It's more of an issue of corporate social responsibility rather than legal responsibility for multinational corporations." |
"Taking pre-emptive measures to prevent accidents rather than just punishing those that violate safety or environmental regulations" |
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Companys' Profiles |
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Established on April 1, 1976, Apple Inc. is an American multinational corporation that designs and markets consumer electronics, computer software, and personal computers.As of May 2010, Apple is one of the largest companies in the world and the most valuable technology company in the world, having surpassed Microsoft. |
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United Win Technology, one of Apple Inc's supplier factoriesin Suzhou,Jiangsu province. The operation is owned by the Taiwan-based Wintek Corp, which produces iPhone components for Apple. |
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