Apple Users In Uproar Over Foxconn Labor Conditions – Why Are Android Users Silent?

Apple has long been the target of criticism over their labor practices, specifically, at overseas factories like Foxconn. I’m sure you’ve read the news over harsh working conditions and suicide rates for Chinese laborers working in these factories where safety nets had to be installed on the sides of buildings to help thwart jumpers. Not too long ago, there was even an app “game” attempting to shed some light on this issue, later pulled from the App Store, only to find its way into the Android Market.
It was only after news that Apple was sitting on a $97 billion cash pile, twiddling their thumbs, a renewed effort is being led by Apple “fanboys” no less, who have taken to online petitions to raise even more awareness. They hope that Apple will use some of this money to force suppliers like Foxconn into improving their working conditions. Easier said than done.
The thing is, it’s not only Apple who uses Foxconn to make their products. That shiny new Kindle Fire you received for Christmas — guess what? It was built in a Foxconn factory just like the iPad 2. It’s true. Many of your favorite Android OEM’s (and even console manufacturers) are current Foxconn employers. To show you Apple isn’t alone in this, here’s a list of a few of them, 10 of which are US based, and mixed in with other big name manufacturers.

• Acer Inc. (Taiwan)
• Amazon.com (United States)
• Asus (Taiwan)
• Barnes & Noble (United States)
• Dell (United States)
• Hewlett-Packard (United States)
• Intel (United States)
• IBM (United States)
• Lenovo (China)
• Logitech (Switzerland)
• Microsoft (United States)
• MSI (Taiwan)
• Motorola (United States)
• Netgear (United States)
• Nintendo (Japan)
• Nokia (Finland)
• Panasonic (Japan)
• Philips (Netherlands)
• Samsung (South Korea)
• Sharp (Japan)
• Sony Ericsson (Japan/Sweden)
• Toshiba (Japan)
• Vizio (United States)