Apple hurts Chinese employees: Imbalanced industrial chain system is the root cause

Apple spoiled! Apple Inc., which has always flaunted environmental protection and pays attention to the concept of humanity, is now caught up in the “say, do a set of accountability” problem - its mainland suppliers are pursuing efficiency and use n-hexane in the production process, resulting in 137 employees." Poisoning."

In this incident, we must criticize Apple for violating accepted business ethics, evading its due social responsibilities, striving to honor environmental promises, and neglecting the green management of the supply chain.

We must accuse the mainland's foundries of jointly building technology and arrogance with capital and contempt for the law. We must see that we are more aggressive in defensive mines and sacrifice employees' health and rights.

However, we have to think deeply: Similar incidents that ignore workers’ rights have already occurred in our country. How can these multinationals behave at home and outside the country?

The imbalanced industrial chain system is the root cause. In the global industrial chain layout, Apple and other multinational companies are in the upper reaches, and they have mastered high value-added links such as design and marketing. Many enterprises in China are downstream, that is, processing and manufacturing of low-added-value links. Therefore, once the upstream adjustment down the purchase price or raise the standard, the downstream will have to strictly control the cost. The transfer method is often to extend the employee's labor time or increase the labor intensity, the use of lower-cost materials, and even toxic materials also do not hesitate.

Unbalanced labor relations are internal factors. In the labor market where supply exceeds demand, employers often have the initiative and are in a strong position, while workers are in a state of inability to fight for their rights. The results are obvious: In recent years, violations of labor rights have occurred frequently. This not only seriously damages the fairness and justice of the society, but also traps the development of the company and the improvement of the industrial structure.

Unbalanced interest coordination mechanism is the catalyst. It must be admitted that when it comes to the rights and interests of workers, they often rely on the government and the media to speak for them, and their own voice is weak. This shows that the interest expression mechanism is still not sound enough. When the rights protection mechanism faces such obstacles, it often fails.

In the face of the above-mentioned imbalances, the government must use tangible hands to correct the deviation.

It is not necessary to say that innovation and strong enterprises are strong countries. What is more important is to ensure the legal bottom line and maintain the legal dignity. In addition to this, a balance-of-interest mechanism must be established so that labor and employers can conduct equal consultations, negotiations, and games. In recent years, the strength of trade unions has been strengthened, and the coverage of collective wage negotiation mechanisms has expanded. Labor rights protection has gradually been guaranteed, but there is still a long way from the expectation of workers.