Oct 01 2012
The Tale of Tin
“We have to live. We need money.”
Those ominous words serve as a chilling reminder of the hardships consumers have been turning a blind eye to. We enjoy happy, carefree lives full of gadgets designed to make our lives as easy as possible, while nearly one person is killed every week among the Indonesian labourers who work in tin mines (many of which are illegally operated) on Bangka Island.
Approximately half of this tin will be used for electronics such as smartphones and tablets made by companies including Apple, Sony, Panasonic, Samsung, and LG.
So, is this ethical? Some would argue that we’re providing a living for these people. They’re not being forced into the work, and are aware of the risks. However, it is still exploitation of a vulnerable population. These people are desperate for money, and the mine operators know that. At the very least, it has been suggested that a portion of mine revenues should be used to improve work conditions and safety.
Although it would be far from a perfect solution, I believe that it’s a start. Without a first step being taken, chances are that things could continue as they have for decades without changing.
Related Links:
Bloomburg Businessweek: The Deadly Tin Inside Your Smartphone
Just a thought: I do not agree at all with the way that those mines are operated. However, if you improve the labor condition, it inevitably drives up the labor cost. To maintain a decent level of profit, some business owners may resort to cutting labours and maybe switch to cheaper alternatives such as robotic technologies, or labours from other places. Then, once unemployed, would these workers be better off then working in the tin mines?