Last month, my classmate Alexander Wong shared his thoughts on the business ethics of Apple Inc.

Apple Inc. is one of the world’s largest and most profitable technology companies. It enjoys both high customer loyalty and a positive brand image. However, beneath the surface of this pristine image lies some ugly truths.

Alexander focussed on the health and safety concerns regarding the significant amounts of radiation emitted by Iphones. The current specific absorption rate radiation exposure levels are at practically the maximum that is deemed safe by the Federal Communications Commission.

Several people are killed and many more are injured after an explosion at a Chinese factory

In my opinion, the more pressing concern is the exploitation of the workers that create the products. Significant factors in Apple’s climb to the top were its mastery of global manufacturing and nearly unrivalled innovation. Yet their workers face harsh conditions such as excessive overtime, deadly safety hazards and illegal child labour.

In 2010, the appalling conditions of Chinese factories were highlighted after 14 employees committed suicide at Apple’s biggest supplier, Foxconn. Although Apple has standards to ensure the health and safety of their workers there is extremely lax enforcement resulting in these standards being routinely violated.

References:

Bilton, Richard. “Apple ‘failing to Protect Chinese Factory Workers'” BBC News. 18 Dec. 2014. Web. 26 Oct. 2015.  <http://www.bbc.com/news/business-30532463>.

Workers protest atrocious working conditions