Making Bad - Worker Abuses in the Video Game Industry

Mike writes, "While the inevitability of the Sony fans saying others are worse is as likely as others piling on and acting as though this company is the only offender, let’s get something clear. This kind of practice; exploiting workers and cutting corners, is not unique to this industry and it’s sure as hell not unique to Sony. Foxconn makes products for Sony, Nintendo, Apple, Microsoft, and a number of other corporations. None of them seem to have much of a problem with the fact that Foxconn’s employees have threatened to commit mass suicide in protest over working conditions, with over a dozen actually following through on it in 2010."

[capitanandi]

For shame, for shame.

[Ashlen]

Ya know the truth is making Chinese businesses look bad is more of a political agenda in the west than it is reality.

The vast majority of Foxconn workers are happy. The reality is a lot of Chinese people want to work there, more than are unhappy about it. At least they have jobs which is more than a lot of Americans and people from various parts of Europe and Asia can say.

And I know there are lots of non Chinese people who would be happy to have a guaranteed job for 6 months to a year or more with there room and board paid plus food and a pretty decent salary in comparison to other jobs in the same country.

It's not that different than military life which many people are happy with and no one has anything bad to say about.

[manasteel88]

Foxconn is running short on workers as most are leaving to go to factories in their home province, or are looking for cushier jobs in better industries. Now Foxconn are running a system with a college where they take people that went to a school so they wouldn't have to work the factory life and force them to choose to sacrifice credits in their major or be forced to go to Foxconn. Its a scam and it demeans people that wanted to better their life by attending a college by forcing them to tape up PS4's for launch.

[Ashlen]

They weren't forced. As part of there degree they agreed to take jobs. Some of them are unhappy with the job they were assigned to.

Though none of them has said that, that was a journalistic take on the situation as far as I can tell.

And you can ask interns in America if they got there dream assignment in there internship and I doubt many of them did. Especially if it was unpaid.

All I'm saying is plenty of people are happy with there jobs at Foxconn. And that people should be be aware in the west this type of article is often over sensationalized.

[SilentNegotiator]

Right. That's why there have been so many suicides and internal Chinese reports have called foxconn factories "labor camps" Political agendas.

"At least they have jobs which is more than a lot of Americans and people from various parts of Europe and Asia can say"

Right, they should be so lucky as to be living under such barbaric conditions, just because some other people don't have jobs at all.

Do you even know what you're typing?

[Ashlen]

They are labor camps, people live there and work there. It doesn't mean it's bad. Foxconn doesn't force anyone to work there people apply for jobs like any place.

If you were unemployed with little hope for finding a job due to various reason such as living in a rural area you'd be surprised.

And FAR less suicides than the American military has per year.

"Service members committed suicide during 2012 at a record pace: more than 349 took their own lives across the four branches, or one every 25 hours, a Department of Defense spokesperson confirmed Monday."

http://usnews.nbcnews.com/_...

And yes, yes I do.

[SilentNegotiator]

Better isn't good. The American Military complex sucks, too, but let's stay on topic.

[Ashlen]

"The American Military complex sucks."

No it doesn't, it provides employment and education for millions of Americans.

And secondly you brought up suicide rates.

I would have chosen a major company like Ford or something but they don't have to report suicide rates. But I can pretty much guarantee any company that has as many employees as Foxconn has it's share of suicides.

[SilentNegotiator]

"it provides employment and education for millions of Americans"

Fueled by a need for soldiers for unnecessary wars and occupations.

[fattyuk]

Worker abuses -

All those people trying to make the wii u a success is who I feel sorry for

(lame joke, I don't agree with any human abuse)

[B_Real]

To be fair, Microsoft is using the same company for their manufacturing process as well: http://www.geek.com/games/f...

[MikeEaton]

I do say pretty explicitly in the article (it's even in the synopsis) that this issue is bigger than Sony.

[TemplarDante]

Its sad, right? But its also reality. Think twice before you buy a DELL pc or Apple Iphone, Ipad etc.
Oh Yeah..
You wont.
I feel for these guys but I saw the MS Fanboys take a sad situation like this to use as PR mudslinging projectiles. While MS isnt exactly a whitenight in the world.
Afterall, Richest man in the world Bill Gates, the great philantropis owns shares in one of the worlds most evil companies, Monsanto. Google their work or check their wikipedia.

naturalsociety.com/bill-gates -dodges-questions-owns-500000-s hares-of-monsanto/

[miyamoto]

This is why i refuse to buy any MS product.
I know the MS empire is so wide spread. But now I can finally have choices outside the "windows".

Imagine every penny you give MS goes to killing thousands of people on Gate's depopulation agenda. Chemical trails, GMO corn, GMO mosquitoes, etc etc.

How can anyone with a right mind or a conscience buy an Xbone facing this crime on humanity?

[pabadamus1]

I thought I was dramatic. There are human rights infringements occurring daily in multiple countries in many large scale manufacturing plants. Foxconn is a well documented transgressor that pushes the envelope of what can be considered fair and humane. This issue will not ameliorate because China and other countries where mass production and assembly are integral view these oppressive measures as a component in their competitive edge.

The sad truth is that we are all complicit in some way. The computers we are typing on, the underwear we may or may not be wearing and the IPhone we may be talking on have passed through the hands of someone who could have fallen victim to unfair practices. By buying almost ANYTHING today we are supporting a global system that works only if people are oppressed. But I am pragmatic. I know I need and want many of the things I utilize daily for MY livelihood. I also know that without those very same jobs many would starve and die. I do not support human subsistence but I also cannot support empty idealism. In order for things to change something drastic has to occur with how we consume. That kind of change won't come about from a simple protest or boycott. Again, we would need a paradigm shift in how we utilize resources...natural and otherwise.

Is it possible for humans to shed this life of overindulgence? I don't think so.

[Enigma_2099]

Even if this is true... EVEN IF... how is this more SONY's fault than Foxconn?

"Mike writes, "While the inevitability of the Sony fans saying others are worse is as likely as others piling on and acting as though this company is the only offender, let’s get something clear. This kind of practice; exploiting workers and cutting corners, is not unique to this industry and it’s sure as hell not unique to Sony."

And this right here lets me know what side of the fence Mike sits on. Did he get a free XBox One in the deal while he was at it?

If this problem is real and so important, here's a tip.. STOP TRYING TO PIN IT ON SONY, BRING IT UP TO THE RIGHT INDIVIDUALS, AND DO SOMETHING ABOUT IT!!!!

[MikeEaton]

Haha. Nice try, but I don't own any consoles. There's no good guy here.

[BoNeSaW23]

My opinion on your opinion is: It is biased and sucks.
That is all.