Apple CEO defends supply chain record
Apple CEO Tim Cook defended the company's practices concerning the company's supply chain in Asia.
Apple Inc. CEO Tim Cook strongly defended his company’s actions Tuesday regarding treatment of workers by its suppliers in the wake of consumer outrage about reports that huge factories in China exploit employees and expose them to toxic substances.
Cook made his comments onstage in response to a question during the Goldman Sachs Technology and Internet Conference at the Palace Hotel in San Francisco.
Cook said Apple caps work weeks at suppliers at 60 hours, bans use of children, inspects physical plants for safety and sponsors educational programs that have served tens of thousands of people, many of whom went on to get associates degrees.
“That is what Apple is all about,” said Cook, who also cited his own personal experience visiting and working in factories, including a stint in a paper mill.
Cook's comments follow Apple's announcement Monday that at its request, the Fair Labor Association is immediately starting voluntary audits of Apple’s final assembly suppliers, including Foxconn factories in Shenzhen and Chengdu, China.
Apple's actions followed a critical New York Times report in January.
Comments
If you are commenting using a Facebook account, your profile information may be displayed with your comment depending on your privacy settings. By leaving the 'Post to Facebook' box selected, your comment will be published to your Facebook profile in addition to the space below.