Pegatron, rather than Apple, should be making the headlines

Dec 19, 2014 14:34 GMT  ·  By

A special report by the BBC spawned from an investigation carried out by the broadcaster brings into light the terrible conditions and treatment that Pegatron workers in China have to endure.

Pegatron is one of several Apple contractors which employs tens of thousands of workers at its factories to assemble and test iPhones. This year is no different.

Undercover staffer

The BBC sent someone in to pose as a person looking to get a job at an iPhone testing facility. This person went through all the procedural stages and eventually got in. Once inside, he started to film his surroundings, revealing that despite Apple’s efforts to ensure safe and fair working conditions, employees were exhausted that they would fall asleep on their work.

Another undercover reporter making parts for computers reportedly had to work eighteen days in a row because the managers would’t give him a day off. Despite Apple claiming that workers didn’t exceed the average of 55 hours a week, the BBC said this was not the case and that workers often worked more than 60 hours a week, because they wouldn’t finish their quota in due time.

Wrong, wrong, wrong

Although the BBC pins this on Apple, which admittedly has an obligation to twist Pegatron’s arm when it finds wrongdoings, the problems occurring at these factories are often out of Apple’s reach. The company can only do so much, or simply eliminate Pegatron as a supplier. Which is inconceivable from a business standpoint.

The investigation also found that “standards on workers’ hours, ID cards, dormitories, work meetings and juvenile workers were being breached at the Pegatron factories.”

Apple "deeply offended"

Apple defends itself saying, “We are aware of no other company doing as much as Apple to ensure fair and safe working conditions… We work with suppliers to address shortfalls, and we see continuous and significant improvement, but we know our work is never done.”

The Cupertino giant said it was common for workers to nap during breaks, but the video published by the BBC seems to indicate that at least some staffers were falling asleep during work hours. It would be quite a coincidence for the undercover reporter to have filmed that one person who had gone clubbing the other night and didn’t get enough shuteye. Not to mention that they’re probably no raking in enough cash to afford the club life.

Apple, as always, promised to investigate any evidence of these wrongdoings and act on their findings if necessary. Apple executive Jeff Williams issued a letter to UK staffers claiming that he and Tim Cook were deeply offended by the BBC’s allegations (more on that later today).

Leaked images from Pegatron factory (5 Images)

Worker falling asleep
Workers receive trainingThings go awry even before going inside the iPhone testing facility
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