[benologist]

If Apple want to demand more responsibility from the tech industry why should it only be other companies' transgressions?

Apple just a few years ago had to tweak miserable worker conditions to reduce the suicide rate on their production lines, they don't get to dictate the narrative on where the tech industry falls short.

[pwinnski]

The suicides were Foxconn employees, Foxconn being a company that is used by nearly every electronics manufacturer. Apple was reportedly alone in addressing the underlying issues by increasing requirements on Foxconn and other suppliers.

Far from being an example of hypocrisy, I think this is a good example of Cook's point.

[andrekandre]

> The suicides were Foxconn employees, Foxconn being a company that is used by nearly every electronics manufacturer.

how convenient for apple... if they truly “cared” they would use their clout to improve the conditions regardless if it was a contractor or not (same goes for any large company using contractors)

[pwinnski]

I'm not sure I understand what you are proposing. Apple should... make demands on companies with which it has no relationship, and expect those companies to comply?

As I stated, Apple did insist on improved conditions at the Foxconn factories where Apple products were made. They audit the factories regularly to ensure Foxconn and other contractors are meetings the standards Apple has set for employee treatment, and report on this information annually, including dropping suppliers who fail audits.

It is not clear Apple could do more than they're doing, other than raising the standards even more. Which... maybe they should, but I don't think that's even what you're suggesting.

[benologist]

You keep describing these people as Foxconn employees, but way before that they were a decision by Apple to not complete iPhone assembly in a modern work environment where the staff are their own employees and have modern workplace safety and rights and benefits.

Instead they pursued a solution that would cost them a few $/person/day, for a phone with $100s profit per handset, and required Foxconn to create assembly lines within their budget. They're like proxy employees whose situation Apple first created and then slightly improved by demanding more stringent age checks and rest.

The tech industry's hazy relationship with employees vs contractors is something else they should accept more responsibility for that Cook neglected to mention - Uber, Amazon, Apple, Google, Facebook, they probably have half a million contractors between them as one big circumvention of modern worker benefits and rights.

[CogDisco]

> Apple should... make demands on companies with which it has no relationship, and expect those companies to comply?

Isn't that literally the link above?