Apple Inc (NASDAQ: AAPL) is the last company that one would expect to be involved in forced labor allegations but a recent expose indirectly links it to such practices courtesy of one of its suppliers.
A human rights organization called the Tech Transparency Project (TTP) recently exposed a Chinese company called Lens Technology for allegedly using forced Muslim laborers at its factories. Lens Technology is one of the companies that supply components used to make Apple’s iPhones. The Chinese company has reportedly been sourcing Uigur Muslim workers from the Xinjiang region in China.
Uighur Muslims are among oppressed Chinese minority groups that are reportedly detained by the Chinese government. TTP reported that many of the Uighur Muslims are sent to Hunan Province where they work under the “poverty alleviation” program. The latter is an initiative launched by Xinjiang–Suzhou Chamber of Commerce.
According to the TTP report, many of those workers spent part of their lives at indoctrination camps where they were forced to learn mandarin and denounce Islam. They were then sent to different factories across the country.
What is Apple’s stance on the matter?
Josh Rosenstock, an Apple spokesperson released a statement saying Lens Technology did not receive any Uighur workers as labor transfers from Xinjiang. He also noted that Apple has been keen on streamlining its suppliers and that it has a strict policy against forced labor.
“Apple has zero tolerance for forced labor. Looking for the presence of forced labor is part of every supplier assessment we conduct, including surprise audits,” stated Rosenstock.
Human rights organizations have been heavily criticizing the Chinese government for treating the Uighur minority group unfairly. Such organizations have also been encouraging companies such as Apple to take up strict measures against any form of forced labor or abuse. Apple is one of the many companies that depend on Chinese operations for their global activities. Human rights activists believe that such companies have the power to influence positive change by implementing the right measures to discourage forced labor.
