Amazon Is Being Blasted by a Watchdog Group Over China Echo Factory Conditions

[JonesBones]

A watchdog group is calling on Amazon.com Inc. to improve conditions for factory workers in China who make Echo speakers and Kindle e-readers, renewing criticisms that CEO Jeff Bezos became the world’s wealthiest man on the backs of low-paid laborers.

The report, which paints a picture of low pay and intense working conditions, includes the following findings:

Workers were required to work more than 100 hours of monthly overtime in violation of Chinese labor law that limits overtime to 36 hours a month The factory uses more “dispatch workers,” similar to temporary staff in the U.S., than are allowed by Chinese law Employees did not receive adequate safety training Workers are required to arrive at work stations 10 minutes before their shift begins and they are not compensated for this time Staff dormitories lack adequate fire-safety precautions such as fire extinguishers

“All workers are subject to long hours and low wages,” the report stated. “As wages are low, workers must rely on overtime hours to earn enough to maintain a decent standard of living.”


Nothing will happen or change but I thought I would post it anyway.


http://fortune.com/2018/06/10/amazon-echo-china-factory-criticism/

 

[Anung Un Rama]

Does anybody know what the cutoff for overttime is in China?
@InternetHero

 

[InternetHero]

Does anybody know what the cutoff for overttime is in China?
@InternetHero

I have no idea, however, I think the article says 36 hours a week.

That said China is the type of society that has a law for everything, whether that law is important, enforced, ECT. depends on if you are a powerful person or not.

 

[ShadowRun]

Doesn't Apple do this as well?

 

[Deleted member 391673]

A watchdog group is calling on Amazon.com Inc. to improve conditions for factory workers in China who make Echo speakers and Kindle e-readers, renewing criticisms that CEO Jeff Bezos became the world’s wealthiest man on the backs of low-paid laborers.

The report, which paints a picture of low pay and intense working conditions, includes the following findings:

Workers were required to work more than 100 hours of monthly overtime in violation of Chinese labor law that limits overtime to 36 hours a month The factory uses more “dispatch workers,” similar to temporary staff in the U.S., than are allowed by Chinese law Employees did not receive adequate safety training Workers are required to arrive at work stations 10 minutes before their shift begins and they are not compensated for this time Staff dormitories lack adequate fire-safety precautions such as fire extinguishers

“All workers are subject to long hours and low wages,” the report stated. “As wages are low, workers must rely on overtime hours to earn enough to maintain a decent standard of living.”


Nothing will happen or change but I thought I would post it anyway.


http://fortune.com/2018/06/10/amazon-echo-china-factory-criticism/

it sounds like a china problem.
their government should handle the matter, no?

 

[loyalyolayal]

it sounds like a china problem.
their government should handle the matter, no?

Exactly. Amazon just throws money around. It's up to the manufacturer to provide and the government to monitor if things are legit. How is it the capitalist's fault? Same thing with the apple/foxconn jumpers a couple of years back.

 

[Madmick]

Exactly. Amazon just throws money around. It's up to the manufacturer to provide and the government to monitor if things are legit. How is it the capitalist's fault? Same thing with the apple/foxconn jumpers a couple of years back.

I don't think the TS has a problem with the Capitalist right. I think he has more of a problem with personal hypocrisy at the top.

 

[loyalyolayal]

I don't think the TS has a problem with the Capitalist right. I think he has more of a problem with personal hypocrisy at the top.

I wasn't talking bout the ts. It's the 1st sentence of the OP:

A watchdog group is calling on Amazon.com Inc. to improve conditions for factory workers in China who make Echo speakers and Kindle e-readers, renewing criticisms that CEO Jeff Bezos became the world’s wealthiest man on the backs of low-paid laborers.

 

[7437]

Exactly. Amazon just throws money around. It's up to the manufacturer to provide and the government to monitor if things are legit. How is it the capitalist's fault? Same thing with the apple/foxconn jumpers a couple of years back.

The company's work conditions are not the responsibility of the company. Interesting viewpoint.

 

[loyalyolayal]

The company's work conditions are not the responsibility of the company. Interesting viewpoint.

I disagree. Hon Hai is responsible for its workers and they should do something about it.

 

[Madmick]

I wasn't talking bout the ts. It's the 1st sentence of the OP:

Oh, gotcha. That wasn't clear because neither that opening line nor the article itself entails that they aren't simultaneously calling on the Chinese government for reform (perhaps they realize this is less likely to be fruitful, but all those NY-based groups like the Falun Gong advocates that I knew were trying to put pressure on the Chinese government, so I would venture the guess that they are also doing this).

After all, watchdog groups are often like unions, and seek to stimulate higher salaries that are already well above the minimum wage, so I'm not sure what else the government can practically do about low wages besides adjusting whatever that is to be higher. Depends. Even within our system it might make more sense to appeal to the business owners-- especially if they're on a soapbox pumping out that proletariat rhetoric like Bezos.

 

[Harry Flashman]

Doesn't Apple do this as well?

Apple was humanitarian enough to install netting over the windows to stop the workers jumping..

 

[VivaRevolution]

 

[mb23100]

I'm sure Jeff is losing sleep over this..

 

[MadSquabbles500]

I disagree. Hon Hai is responsible for its workers and they should do something about it.

I think the watchdog group is trying to make clients be more responsible about who they choose as vendors. That is one way to make the vendors more responsible. By hurting them in the cash flow.

 

[method115]

I think the watchdog group is trying to make clients be more responsible about who they choose as vendors. That is one way to make the vendors more responsible. By hurting them in the cash flow.

It's also a lot easier and much easier to cause an uproar by attach Amazon instead of Hon Hai. Wouldn't be surprised if they haven't even mentioned or tried contacting the company.

 

[nostradumbass]

They just need to put nets around the building so people don't commit suicide on the clock.

 

[trident]

The warehouses in the US aren't great either.

You don't get this giant without spine climbing the worlds most desperate.

 

[Lord Coke]

A watchdog group is calling on Amazon.com Inc. to improve conditions for factory workers in China who make Echo speakers and Kindle e-readers, renewing criticisms that CEO Jeff Bezos became the world’s wealthiest man on the backs of low-paid laborers.

The report, which paints a picture of low pay and intense working conditions, includes the following findings:

Workers were required to work more than 100 hours of monthly overtime in violation of Chinese labor law that limits overtime to 36 hours a month The factory uses more “dispatch workers,” similar to temporary staff in the U.S., than are allowed by Chinese law Employees did not receive adequate safety training Workers are required to arrive at work stations 10 minutes before their shift begins and they are not compensated for this time Staff dormitories lack adequate fire-safety precautions such as fire extinguishers

“All workers are subject to long hours and low wages,” the report stated. “As wages are low, workers must rely on overtime hours to earn enough to maintain a decent standard of living.”


Nothing will happen or change but I thought I would post it anyway.


http://fortune.com/2018/06/10/amazon-echo-china-factory-criticism/

China has labor laws? That is a surprise

 

[jefferz]

Doesn't Apple do this as well?

Foxconn makes iPhones as well as these Amazon devices. Almost every smartphone, computer, video game console, network device, tv, etc has Foxconn parts.
They're supposed to be building a plant in Wiscansin.