Apple Hit by Boycott Call Over Worker Abuses in China

The Guardian: Just days after Apple reported record-breaking quarterly profits, numerous media outlets are calling for a boycott of the iPhone and iPad because of working conditions at the factories which make the Apple devices. It began when The New York Times ran a story focusing on the long history of problems at the Foxconn plants in China that make Apple’s mobile devices. After that article ran, numerous other publications began questioning whether consumers should boycott the tech giant. In one such article, Forbes columnist Peter Cohan noted, “If you add up all the workers who have died to build your iPhone or iPad, the number is shockingly high.”

In an email to Apple employees, CEO Tim Cook addressed the issue, writing, “We care about every worker in our worldwide supply chain. Any accident is deeply troubling, and any issue with working conditions is cause for concern.” He added, “Any suggestion that we don’t care is patently false and offensive to us… accusations like these are contrary to our values.”