Apple, Dell, HP Comment on Foxconn Suicides
A lot of computer companies outsource work to Foxconn and given the recent news reports regarding the assembly plant, some of the bigger names are eager to make their opinions on the matter heard.
HP, Apple and Dell have all released statements offering condolences as well and say they are looking into the matter. Apple's Steve Dowling told Bloomberg that the Cupertino-based company was "saddened and upset" by the suicides.
"We are saddened and upset by the recent suicides at Foxconn. We're in direct contact with Foxconn senior management and we believe they are taking this matter very seriously. A team from Apple is independently evaluating the steps they are taking to address these tragic events and we will continue our ongoing inspections of the facilities where our products are made."
Dell has offered a similar statement and said the company expects Foxconn to employ the same standards Dell does in its own factory.
"We expect our suppliers to employ the same high standards we do in our own facilities. We enforce these standards through a variety of tools, including the Electronics Industry code of conduct, business reviews with suppliers, self-assessments and audits."
Further word from a spokesperson reveals Dell is also investigating the situation.
"Any reports of poor working conditions in Dell’s supply chain are investigated," Jess Blackburn, a spokesman for Dell, said in an email to Bloomberg. "We expect our suppliers to employ the same high standards we do."
HP is also investigating "the Foxconn practices that may be associated with these tragic events."
The news comes as reports suggest the number of suicides at the Foxconn factory has risen to 15.

Suicide rate for Foxconn: 3.75 out of 100000
The difference is that the US numbers (and indeed most numbers used in this comparison) are based on the number of people who have died I.E. out of every 100000 people that die, 5.4 of them take their own lives..... While the numbers at foxconn are based on an entire living population.
A more accurate assessment would be to take the number of people who have died in the last 2 months and then compare the number of people who have taken their own lives to the number of people who have died of other causes and express it as a percentage.....no one is posting those numbers though.....
yeah but what if all those below par suicide rates we occurring in just one company?
Yep I think you pretty much nailed it. After people saw the first guy's family get nice compensation others decided it was the best way to provide for their families (and they may very well be right, given their situation). You hear of people doing things that will get them thrown in jail for life or even executed so that someone will support their family in return. Doesn't sound far fetched at all to me.
Still its sad but as others have pointed out, there is most likely a combination of financial incentive combined with a generally bigger social problem.
There is no need for you to pretend you care and are going to investigate. We know, you know, what's going on at these factories. It has been going on for a long time and every time some one points it out this is the response that's given. People then think that it's ok to look away because it's being taken care of~ and it continues again..
Then again I guess that's their reason to come out and say this again huh, so we'll look the other way thinking it will be taken care of. These people won't get raises, they won't work any less of hours. They won't be told that they no longer have to sign some stupid waiver in regards to over time pay. This will continue.
Sad what money can make people do to each other.
I bet you do and you don't even know it. Look again.
Yes, no body suicides in Apple but Apple fanboys die a little inside every time they buy an Apple product and they don't even know about it.
THE END
How awesome would it be if Americans made this stuff? Shame on these companies, capitol wealth = greed. Apple, Dell ect. design good stuff, so why make the good stuff in China? Are the profits really worth the pride we should have in our people to make the gadgets that rule our lives?