Computex Protesters: Steve Jobs is a Bloodsucker!

While Computex 2010 attendees are currently bathing in hardware goodness inside the Nangang Exhibition Center, labor unions and environmental groups are using the trade show as a platform for protesting against a number of companies with booths at Computex. Though it's unfortunate for the companies involved, it's also quite expected given recent reports of inhumane working conditions at many Chinese manufacturing plants used by Microsoft, Foxconn, Apple and more.

"A few minutes after I arrived at the venue, a few people started gathering near the pre-registration booth beside the main entrance of Nangang Exhibition Center," said Tom's Rico Mossesgeld. "Some of them took turns on the megaphone, while others held up placards with pictures of Steve Jobs and what looks like other Taiwanese officials, declaring them Wanted. Clearly, they were protesting about worker conditions in China, related to Apple and recent high-profile factory worker suicides. Unfortunately, as I'm not fluent with Chinese, I only had a general idea of the grievances they aired."

The local police eventually came in and rounded up the protestors, clearing a safe passage to the convention hall entrance for Computex 2010 attendees. The scene heated up upon the arrival of Taiwan president Ma Ying-jeou, as at least one protestor tried to approach the President. The police immediately moved in to restrain him, however not without a fight. The resistance continued until the protestor was removed from the convention center grounds.

"Clearly, the police just wanted to keep him away from the President," Rico said. "All while this happened, a bunch of booth babes and Computex staff lined the main entrance, screaming enthusiastic welcomes to visitors."

Another report claims that one protestor held up a sign calling Steve Jobs a "bloodsucker." Although local police tried to keep the protest at bay, eventually it was allowed to continue and fizzle out, ending about an hour after it originally began. However Lennon Ying-Dah Wong, general secretary of the First Commercial Bank Industrial Union, offered his opinion before moving on.

“They are at the peak of this industry," he said, referring to the companies residing within the convention center. "They have earned a tremendous amount of money, but they don’t care about the social responsibility, they don’t care about the working condition of the workers. In many of their plants it’s a sweatshop, and we are very sad to see modern sweatshops."

  • unrealpinky
    I'm not a fan of Steve Jobs, but I can't help but feel that he is being unfairly singled out here. There are MANY more companies that utilize these sweatshops.
    Reply
  • skevil
    Looks like it's going to be a lot easier to start tallying who still likes Steve Jobs rather than who hates Steve Jobs since it'll be a much shorter list. ;)

    Reply
  • hallic7
    Apple = walletsucker!
    Reply
  • cottonball
    I hate protesters.
    Reply
  • RipperjackAU
    That's all well and good, but I guess Steve sleeps quite well at night... on a pile of iPad cash!
    Reply
  • someguynamedmatt
    This is going to get down-rated like heck, but don't these people have anything better to do? Like go to their jobs? If you're that determined to stop people from doing what they want to do (however they do it), then why don't you do the fallen Foxconn employees justice and go join them?
    I'm with you, cottonball, I hate protesters. Worthless hypocrites. Go disturb the peace somewhere else...
    Reply
  • dman3k
    SomeGuyNamedMattThis is going to get down-rated like heck, but don't these people have anything better to do? Like go to their jobs? If you're that determined to stop people from doing what they want to do (however they do it), then why don't you do the fallen Foxconn employees justice and go join them?I'm with you, cottonball, I hate protesters. Worthless hypocrites. Go disturb the peace somewhere else...Last time I checked, Taiwan is a democracy. So you rather they be under totalitarian rule?

    BTW, Tom's, you misspelled Taiwan. Taiwan is in pretty much every spelling dictionary... except the iPad one...
    Reply
  • aethm
    "They have earned a tremendous amount of money, but they don’t care about the social responsibility,

    True of 90% of corporate American business.
    Reply
  • dogofwars
    Well Steve Jobs has caused more problem than the other because he is a control freak. Just have to think of the guy that had an Iphone that he was not suppose to show and suicide himself because of the immense pressure he had on his shoulder. Sure there is other company that are not really better but Steve Jobs is the king an somehow a target of choice for them.
    Reply
  • hallic7
    While I do hate certain protesters I think this people have a point here... Who would like to live building Icraps, (sorry, ipads) or whatever gadgets for less than $1 a day while the companies sell this goods at hundreds of $$$ ??? Is not that I promote this acts, but in China this is one of many things that really suck!
    Reply