Foxconn Attack

In the last discussion about Foxconn factories I was roped into siding with a lukewarm approach. One of the earlier articles claimed that Foxconn employees were enduring the long work shifts because they wanted to be able to earn more money. However, after reading about the mass riots in the Foxconn factory, I am quite sure that the employees were misrepresented. 

Riots broke out in the Foxconn factory that involved "2,000 workers" (Kan). It was said that the "incident first started as a “personal dispute”, and then escalated" (Kan). How a single personal dispute escalates into a 2,000 person riot is more than suspicious. Although the workers might have had bitterness towards their working conditions, if their need was only monetary, than why would anyone jeopardize their means of income for someone elses 'personal dispute'. The article even stated that "According to police, some 40 individuals were taken to the hospital for medical attention and a number of individuals were arrested...”(Kan) As a news article quoted labor experts,"Foxconn is not entirely transparent about the worker disputes that occur at the company’s factories in China." ...'NOT ENTIRELY!!!!?'

People do not join riots with so much to risk unless they believe the risk is worth taking. The workers are doing all they can with what they have. The people in China are not being treated justly, they are being misrepresented, and articles are being published to make all of their abuse look justifiable. They are sacrificing their jobs, and their health to make a stand. What are we doing to help? Are we a part of the problem, or the solution?
 

http://www.pcworld.com/article/2010498/mass-riot-erupts-at-foxconn-factory-in-china.html