Summary: Where almost every Microsoft-branded computer mouse is made there is little action to ensure humane treatment of employees

Microsoft's sweatshops in China and in other countries have caused a huge deal of media controversy, which left Microsoft in a position where it had to say that it would do something. Based on friends of Microsoft, not much was ever done except the promises (as everyone expected). From the latest summary of Microsoft Nick:

Microsoft claims it investigated allegations of massive labor violations at a Chinese factory building its products, and took steps to fix conditions there. But the director of the National Labor Committee, the non-governmental organization that originally highlighted those factory conditions, says Microsoft's statements about the matter are too vague.

On April 13, the National Labor Committee issued a report accusing the KYE Systems factory in Dongguan City of several labor violations. "Over the past three years, unprecedented photographs of exhausted teenage workers, toiling and slumping asleep on their assembly line during break time, have been smuggled [out of the factory]," the report said. "Workers are paid 65 cents an hour, which falls to a take-home wage of 52 cents after deductions for factory food."

[...]

According to the National Labor Committee report, Microsoft representatives visiting the factory were "always … accompanied by mid- and high-level managers. On these walk-throughs, U.S. company representatives hardly ever speak to the workers." KYE factory management purportedly removed underage workers from the facility ahead of government and corporate audits.

[...]

In response to four eWEEK requests through May and June, however, Microsoft spokespeople said the company had nothing formal to report. Microsoft also declined to address why the company's previous audits had failed to reveal any workplace violations.

So there's your "people-ready" company. Just don't expect Microsoft employees to be treated like humans, unless they are the spoiled, conceited brats who live in the West and call the shots. Here is a new report of interest:

Ex-Microsoft employee suing American Airlines for bad landing

A former Microsoft employee is suing American Airlines for a harrowing landing that she says has caused permanent damage.

One day in KYE ought to serve as a lesson here; there's worse than rough landings. These poor little rich people are the Madame Antoinettes of the 21^st century. The disparity is striking, so beware the "job creation" meme; the phrase "giving jobs" sometimes means "giving wave slavery". ⬆