The image Microsoft doesn't want you to see: Chinese workers too tired to stay awake !!

Daily Mail ^ | 04/20/2010 | Liz Hull and Lee Sorrell

[cweese]

LMAO!!

[Oatka]

That’s how the night stockers (10:30 pm - 6:30 am) at Wal-Mart looked at break time the first few weeks on the job. (I was one of ‘em.)

[McGruff]

The picture is merely SUPPORTIVE evidence of their being treated indecently.

Sounds like something the MSM would say. Fake but Accurate? Microsoft probably uses child labor too.

[BallyBill]

This is BS, in China workers would be shot for sleeping on the job en masse. That is the image China doesn't want you to see.

This is heads down, nap time like we used to take in grade school.

[SeekAndFind]

RE: This is heads down, nap time like we used to take in grade school

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The article states :

“This photo and others like it were smuggled out of the KYE Systems factory at Dongguan, China, as part of a three-year investigation by the National Labour Committee, a human rights organisation which campaigns for workers across the globe.

The mostly female workers, aged 18 to 25, work from 7.45am to 10.55pm, sometimes with 1,000 workers crammed into one 105ft by 105ft room. They are not allowed to talk or listen to music, are forced to eat substandard meals from the factory cafeterias, have no bathroom breaks during their shifts and must clean the toilets as discipline, according to the NLC.”

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You seem to be saying that this news, like the photo, is also fake.

[SeekAndFind]

The article states :

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The workers also sleep on site, in factory dormitories, with 14 workers to a room. They must buy their own mattresses and bedding, or else sleep on 28in-wide plywood boards. They ‘shower’ with a sponge and a bucket.

And many of the workers, because they are young women, are regularly sexually harassed, the NLC claimed.

The organisation said that one worker was even fined for losing his finger while operating a hole punch press.

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You’re telling me that the photo and the above “news” are all fabricated lies ?

[EyeGuy]

“The mostly female workers, aged 18 to 25, work from 7.45am to 10.55pm, sometimes with 1,000 workers crammed into one 105ft by 105ft room. They are not allowed to talk or listen to music, are forced to eat substandard meals from the factory cafeterias, have no bathroom breaks during their shifts and must clean the toilets as discipline, according to the NLC.”

####

And I got in trouble here on FR for calling that “slave(?) labor”.

Technically, not. But.....

[discostu]

Apparently China is fining the company:
http://blog.seattlepi.com/microsoft/archives/202566.asp?from=blog_last3

Which I guess gives some credence to the accusations (I’m not quick to trust somebody that partners with unions), but it looks like all the appropriate actions are taking place (fines by China, investigations by MS).

[SeekAndFind]

Technically, not. But.....

Is the term -- "Sweat shop" OK in these parts ?

[dead]

They’re testing the Jonestown application.

[SeekAndFind]

Apparently China is fining the company:

Well, that's good news then.

[Constitution Day]

Hahaha!!

[PugetSoundSoldier]

This is BS, in China workers would be shot for sleeping on the job en masse. That is the image China doesn't want you to see.

Interesting... And how many Chinese factories have you visited? Because I've heard - and seen - workers get chewed out and thrown out/fired for screwing up or sleeping when they were on the clock, but never seen one shot.

This is actually pretty common in most factories in China; the cafeteria/break room isn't that big, so most workers get their food, eat, then go back to their station and take a nap. Quite common to see at lunchtime in all the big factories, all across the China. You'll even find sales associates napping in shopping malls during the slower times of the day.

And in fact, in factories here in the US, you find workers napping during lunch hour as well, just that they usually have bigger tables or softer chairs. But if you've ever slept on a real Chinese bed (basically plywood with a dozen sheets over it, even in many hotels) you'd see that a soft chair may not, in fact be preferred! Some silly belief about a rock-hard chair and bed meaning your spine will be straight like the tree...

[CodeToad]

How do we know this is even China much less what the British article claims. How do we know this isn’t a mandated break of some sort?

“Journalists” are the most scummy people on Earth and lie to forward liberal political agendas.

[EricT.]

I’m thinking it’s still better than working in a rice paddy.

[SeekAndFind]

This is BS, in China workers would be shot for sleeping on the job en masse. That is the image China doesn't want you to see.

This news tell us that it is NOT BS at all.

EXCERPT :

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After a labor group's allegations that Microsoft hardware workers are mistreated at a Chinese factory, Microsoft announced Thursday that is it sending inspectors to the KYE Systems facility in Dongguan.

Seattlepi.com was first to report the National Labor Committee's allegations Tuesday, which suggested Chinese workers, mostly women aged 18 to 25, are made to work long hours at low wages, without bathroom breaks, music or talking. In a statement, Microsoft said it had opened an investigation into the charges.

Brian Tobey, corporate vice president for manufacturing and operations in Microsoft's Entertainment and Devices Division, wrote about Microsoft's response on the company's official blog. He noted that "we take very seriously our corporate responsibility to ensure that the manufacturing facilities and supply chain operations that we use comply with all relevant labor and safety requirements and ensure fair treatment of workers."

We were therefore very concerned when we saw a report by the National Labor Committee (NLC) alleging that conditions at a factory operated by KYE in Dongguan, China, were adversely impacting workers. KYE assembles and packages hardware products for Microsoft and a wide range of other companies.

As a result of this report, we have a team of independent auditors en route to the facility to conduct a complete and thorough investigation. If we find that the factory is not adhering to our standards, we will take appropriate action.

We should note that as part of Microsoft's ongoing supplier SEA (Social and Environmental Accountability) program, an independent auditor has been inspecting the KYE factory annually. In addition, Microsoft personnel conduct quarterly on-site assessments, and receive weekly reports from KYE on key labor and safety criteria that we monitor as part of our supplier SEA program. Over the past two years, we have required documentation and verification of worker age, and no incidence of child labor has been detected. Worker overtime has been significantly reduced, and worker compensation is in line with the Electronic Industry Citizenship Coalition standards for the Dongguan area.

Tobey said the on-site audit will happen next week, specifically regarding the allegations of the National Labor Committee. Meanwhile, while Microsoft is awaiting the audit findings, it will keep monitors at KYE.

To be clear, the workers are not employed by Microsoft. They work for KYE Systems.

Many seattlepi.com readers asked, in the comment section of our Tuesday report, whether Microsoft did any regular inspections of the KYE factory, where workers manufacture, among other products for other companies, Microsoft-branded mice and webcams. It seems Microsoft had, at least, been monitoring the working environment there.

Which raises the question: Is Microsoft OK with the alleged conditions at KYE?

The official answer, of course, was no. But the real answer?

[CodeToad]

“You’re telling me that the photo and the above “news” are all fabricated lies ?”

Yep. Prove otherwise. Liberals lie. They HATE Microsoft and all other large companies and tell whoppers of lies in vain attempts to get at them.

[dragnet2]

The global free trade economy is good for you!

Now wake up and get back to work!

[SeekAndFind]

I’m thinking it’s still better than working in a rice paddy.

I think you can pea when you have the urge to in a rice paddy. Here, you have to ask permission.

[SeekAndFind]

I direct you to POSTS # 28, 33 and 36