Apple Cuts Ties With Supplier Due to Underage Workers
Guangdong Real Faith Pingzhou Electronics reported to authorities.
Apple has cut ties with a Chinese supplier after an audit found that it employed underage workers.
During one of its audits of Guangdong Real Faith Pingzhou Electronics, Apple found that the supplier employed underage workers to work in its factories. Apple immediately broke its relationship with the supplier and reported it to Chinese authorities.
74 underage workers were working there and they were all under 16 years of age. They were supplied by a recruitment company, Shenzhen Quanshun Human Resources Co Ltd, which has since had its business licence revoked by the regional government due to the findings.
The iPhone maker managed to discover the practice after discovering several fake age verification documents. Real Faith Pingzhou Electronics was fined and were ordered to secure the transport for the underage workers back to their homes. Other firms who work with the supplier have followed Apple in launching their own audits into the firm.
"We go deep in the supply chain to find it," Apple senior vice-president of operations Jeff Williams said. "And when we do find it, we ensure that the under-age workers are taken care of, the suppliers are dealt with."
Foxconn, Apple's main supplier for its products, previously admitted to violating labor laws by employing 14 and 15-year-old interns.

Just saying... When I was >16 yrs of age. I worked when I was told to, Or needed money for something I really wanted. I imagine these kids worked because their families needed support. Just wondering how they were "taken care of" now that they have less income coming home.
Just saying... When I was >16 yrs of age. I worked when I was told to, Or needed money for something I really wanted. I imagine these kids worked because their families needed support. Just wondering how they were "taken care of" now that they have less income coming home.
"Intern" is Chinese for "slave".
It's not just our "western values"....it's also Chinese law.... The Chinese Gov't chose to pass labor laws that protect children....why exactly are we bashing this?
So, at what age do you think a child should be forced into working? 6? 7? 8? It's not the child's job to support the family. It's the family's job to support the child....
God, people here at Tom's would overlook anything and use any excuse to bash at Apple.
I strongly agree with you...
That's coming from a very protected worldview. I know and have worked with many people that have come from those areas of the world. I'm not saying it's ideal, or advocating for poor working conditions, not by a long shot. What I am saying is consider the alternatives. Is being forced to begging on the streets better? Is childhood prostitution better? People need to think about this before dictating that no one under 16 can work, and patting themselves on the back. Feel good laws are not charity. Real charity is personal.
and yes, i agree that this is just to justify breaking the agreement with the supplier. at the same time making apple look good. D*mn, these guys are good, they are like politicians
Tom's consists of stupid people. Like excella1221 said, they'll use anything and everything to bash Apple.
I bet with my own fkin life, IF this news is about Samsung instead, they'll praise them. I bet it.
i'm sure they would have reacted exactly the same way while desperately buying up every bit of supply. /sarcasm