IPad Troubles in China - Article Example

IPad Troubles in China Apple activities in China have drawn both praises and curses in equal measure. The company has been a hub of employees who struggle to make their lives better. The company has been successful in its operation in terms of economic viability. It has been able to innovate and provide into the market, the most viable products that responds to the demands of the consumers. However, audits into the company operation system indicate that the company does not portray similar features in treating its workers. Independent bodies have indicated that the company working conditions do not reflect the company’s code of conduct. This paper will respond to issues raised against the operation of the company in China. Issues raised against the Apple Company include the following: excessive work by employees sometimes seven days in a week, long hours of standing without break, living in crowded dorm, improper disposal of the hazardous waste, disregard to employees’ health, hiring under age employees among other violations (Duhigg & Barboza 1). From the journal report, it is evident that the effort employed by Apple in changing the above conditions has failed to yield any formidable fruits. The journal indicates that despite the audits and recommendations by the Apple top executives supplies of the Apple products have been adamant in adhering to the recommendations or the provisions in the code of conduct. The persistence of the cases reported is an indication that the company does not have the goodwill to transform the working conditions. In my opinion, the provision in the code of conduct acts as a guide or a gauge, which measures the challenges in the factory outlets. However, failure to demonstrate appreciation after auditing recommendation is a show that the management of the Apple Company is responsible for the gross violation of the employees’ rights. Ideally, the management should monitor and control conditions within which its employees carry out their activities. Apple Company has responded to the problems reported by taking the following measures. First, the company has engaged in conducting audits in its factory outlets. These audits are very critical in assessing the conditions within these factories. However, it has emerged from the audits that the company has not been able to respond swiftly in line with the provisions in bits code of conduct. For instance, the company insists that when one of its factory outlets violates the code especially gross violations, it would terminate its operation. Ironically, the company has identified factory outlets which violets the above conditions repeatedly but remain in operation. Secondly, the company has initiated programs that aim at improving the safety of its employees. Such programs include training of the employees. The training offered to these employees enables them to know their rights as well as executing their duties within the specified framework. The action taken by Apple against some factory outlets is quite impressive because they help to build trust. For instance, the move by the company to force suppliers, which engaged their employees in paying recruitment fee, shows that the company has good intentions for its workers. The circumstances under which the payment of the fee occurred is similar to corruptible interests whom a few executives wish to achieve. Third, the Apple Company has demonstrated that it does not support the employment of underage persons. The company has made attempts of educating its employees. This attempt helps the employee to know his or her rights as well as protecting the society from accepting activities that do not acknowledge the law. The company has demonstrated its intention towards improving the conditions of its employees through social responsibility. While it is arguable that the company has good intention in influencing the working conditions of its employees, many respondent in the article have portrayed the company as unwilling to better the conditions of work. The company should embrace the American MNCs standard in its overseas operations. While it is evident that the company has been fairing well in its production with respect to the market demand, it is sad that the company has not shown a full commitment in enforcing the company rules. The satisfaction of the workers is critical to the company prosperity. Critically, conditions that promote exploitation of the workers do not portray a good picture to the company. The arguments that support the company operation have failed to appreciate employees’ conditions. For instance, the Foxconn explosion that claimed lives of the employees illustrated a bad picture of the company. Ideally, the company operation should be beneficial to the community in the same manner as it is to the company. The rate at which the Apple factory outlets receive accident cases indicates that the company should develop comprehensive measures in addressing the safety hazards. The company loses its workers through explosion or through suicidal attempts is an indication that the company has done very little in protecting the lives of its employees. For instance, the journal has reported that nearly all the accidents in the factory outlets occur from preventable conditions. In such cases, it means that the company deliberately ignores the safety rules; instead, it capitalizes on making high profit margins from the unbearable conditions. It is arguable that since Apple Company has set limited profit margin for its outlet supplying companies, the working conditions in those companies will eventually be low. Further, the condition will result into poor conditions reported. I believe that Apple Company can address the concern raised in the journal. In my opinion, the company can achieve the American standards in the overseas market. The company has various options that it can employ in making its operation conditions better. For instance, it can improve the current operation conditions by adhering to its self-set policies. The journal has indicated that the company has failed to comply with the conditions that it has set. It is arguable that when it was setting the above conditions, it had calculated the costs of its operations, thus the profit margin would not be a question in relation to the current conditions. The operation of the Apple Company in China has improved the lifestyle of the Chinese people. However, this reason does not absolve the company from observing the operation norms. The prosperity index of the society encompasses factors such as health. The journal report does not support any improvement in health conditions of the workers. Since the company workers are workaholics, their health condition is subject to various challenges. For instance, the reported cases of suicidal attempts show that the mental health of the workers has deteriorated. This means that while the society is boosting of the economic development, it is at the same time, reporting an increasing number of patients. Social growth is critical for the society because it would determine the pace at which the society would be progressing. The welfare of the workers influences the government budget. This means that complying with industrial working conditions is paramount. In the journal, Foxconn delivered a $150, 000 to the family of the bereaved (Duhigg &Barboza 2). In my opinion, the compensation did not help because it could not restore the lost life. Since human life is precious, it is important for the company to institute measures that uphold the company standards in overseas. It is ironical that the company is willing to meet hefty bills during employee’s death, when it could have prevented the conditions, which led to the employee’s death. People work because they intend to enjoy a better life not otherwise. In conclusion, Apple Company has demonstrated little concern in addressing the problems of its workers. The company response to the problems is clumsy thereby making the company workers prone to accidents. The company has the capacity to change the trends observed. The executives of the company have deliberately ignored the plight of the workers as well as the audit reports. It is arguable that the company would better position itself in the overseas market if it improves that working conditions within its factory outlets. Further, ignoring the regulation could project profound effects to the expansion of the company in the future. The company does not require any policy change to solve the problems raised, but adhering to its set policies. Work cited Duhigg, Charles & Barboza, David. In China, Human Costs Are Built Into an iPad. Web 6 June 2012 from http://www.nytimes.com/2012/01/26/business/ieconomy-apples-ipad-and-the-human-costs-for-workers-in-china.html?_r=1&pagewanted=all Read More