Can the XBOX lead to mass suicide ... apparently yes!!!

[Chycophy]

Xbox workers threaten mass suicide: report

Approximately 300 Foxconn employees who work on the Xbox 360 manufacturing line in Wuhan, China, threatened to jump from the building's roof following a rescinded pay deal earlier this month, according to reports.

WantChina Times said that according to the Chinese anti-government website China Jasmine Revolution, the employees had sought a pay rise but were denied by Foxconn management.

The company then offered staff a choice between continuing to work at current rates or taking a compensated dismissal package. Many workers chose the latter, but Foxconn reneged on the package.

Read more: Xbox workers threaten mass suicide: report

n protest, the workers climbed to the roof and threatened to jump, but were apparently talked down from the ledge by Wuhan's mayor.

Microsoft's Phil Spencer said that Foxconn had "been an important partner" of Microsoft's. "I trust them as a responsible company to continue to evolve their process and work relationships.

"That is something we remain committed to - the safe and ethical treatment of people who build our products. That's a core value of our company."

WantChina Times reported that 14 Foxconn employees committed suicide in 2010. Employees frequently complained of long working hours and discrimination.

Microsoft issued a general statement saying it took the working conditions in factories that manufacture its products "very seriously, and we are currently investigating this issue".

"We have a stringent Vendor Code of Conduct that spells out our expectations, and we monitor working conditions closely on an ongoing basis and address issues as they emerge. Microsoft is committed to the fair treatment and safety of workers employed by our vendors, and to ensuring conformance with Microsoft policy"

Read more: Xbox workers threaten mass suicide: report

[Chycophy]

Looks like Apple has jumped on the bandwagon like Microsoft!!

Apple admitted Friday some of its suppliers continued to overwork and underpay employees, as it threw open its factory doors to monitors after a spate of suicides at a Chinese plant.

After fielding heavy criticism for not policing conditions for the workers who produce its popular iPads, iPhones and other products, Apple divulged its list of suppliers and said it would allow an outside labour rights group to monitor them.

Meanwhile an annual internal audit of its supply chain showed that just 38 per cent of the company's suppliers adhered to Apple's own standard of a maximum 60 hour work week and minimum one day off per week.

One-third of its suppliers were negligent in managing hazardous substances, and the same portion were below standard in injury prevention practice.

The company said it believed it had eliminated child labour among its final assembly suppliers.

"We will continue regular audits and go even deeper into our supply chain to ensure that there are no underage workers at any Apple supplier," it said in the report.

It also said it had forced suppliers last year to reimburse workers for some $3.3 million they paid in excess broker fees to get jobs at Apple supplier plants. Apple said it had forced a total of $6.7 million in such reimbursements since 2008.

"To the best of our knowledge, Apple is the only company in the electronics industry that mandates reimbursement of excessive recruitment fees."

The moves came after Apple endured heavy criticism for working conditions at some suppliers, and especially after a spate of suicides at a Chinese factory producing the iPhone that is owned by Taiwan's Foxconn group.

Steve Jobs, Apple's co-founder who died in August, was forced to deny in 2010 that the company supported worker-abusing "sweatshops."

Apple said its newest Supplier Responsibility report involved 229 audits throughout the company's supply chain last year, 80 per cent more than in 2010, the year criticism of the company from labour rights groups intensified.

In parallel with the release of the report, Apple said it would allow the Fair Labor Association to independently investigate and report on conditions in its suppliers.

"With the benefit of the FLA's experience and expertise, we will continue to drive improvements for workers and provide even greater transparency into our supply chain," said Jeff Williams, Apple's senior vice president of operations.

Apple admits supplier abuse of workers