Apple Asks Labor Group to Inspect Factories, Starting With Foxconn

PCMag: Apple has asked the Fair Labor Association (FLA) to conduct audits of working conditions at its suppliers’ final assembly factories. This morning, FLA officials began the inspection process at one of the Foxconn facilities in China which has recently been the catalyst for much criticism leveled at Apple.

“We believe that workers everywhere have the right to a safe and fair work environment, which is why we’ve asked the FLA to independently assess the performance of our largest suppliers,” said Apple CEO Tim Cook. “The inspections now underway are unprecedented in the electronics industry, both in scale and scope, and we appreciate the FLA agreeing to take the unusual step of identifying the factories in their reports.”

In addition to inspecting the facilities, the FLA will interview thousands of employees who work for Apple’s suppliers. The FLA will make its findings public in March.