Apple Report Reveals Child Labor Increase

Apple, which relies heavily on outsourcing, uses a portion of its record profits to audit suppliers for labor violations. “Apple said it had strengthened its checks on age because of concerns about the falsification of ages by such schools and labour agencies,” reports Tania Branigan for the Guardian. In an annual report on its manufacturers, the company reports that less than a third of audited facilities comply with codes on working hours. The report lists findings, but no contractor names, explains Branigan. Activists contend that secretiveness provides little incentive for others to comply on labor codes. Instead, the company is judge and jury, dismissing some contractors and punishing others by requiring education funding for child laborers. The audits are new for the Asian contractors; nearly half reported that “Apple was the first company to check them for social responsibility compliance.” Reliance on under-aged or over-worked labor may reduce short-term costs, but leads to flawed products and corporate reputations in ruins. Transparency and audits protect major brands. – YaleGlobal