 Foxconn is one of the largest electronics and computer components manufacturer in the world, it supplies huge corporations including Apple Inc., Dell, and Microsoft . In 2010, eleven employees of Foxconn’s factory in China committed suicide by jumping off a building, and three more attempted. Foxconn was accused of inadequate management by forcing workers to work overtime in harsh working conditions. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tYEvo_5uwxw
Of course, Foxconn has a serious issue of poor business ethics, resulting in this tragedy. But what I find interesting is that Apple was also heavily blamed for being negligent, and socially irresponsible. Therefore raising the question, while taking care of their own employees within their corporations, should companies also be responsible for the working conditions of their suppliers?
And how should this problem of be resolved? How much profit is a company willing to give up in order to raise the working quality of workers?
The article in the link further reveals the situation after an investigation on Foxconn factories, examines the solution, and the effects of change.
http://business.time.com/2012/03/29/apple-agrees-to-labor-reforms-after-serious-foxconn-violations/