Thread title is just a little sensational, don't you think AiR?
Not really. They might not be slaves on paper, but they are in reality.
The majority of products we use daily are made under similar conditions, are we willing to pay 5 times more for product made under "humane" conditions, NO.
Microsoft (and Logitech) mice are not cheap to begin with, last time I bought a Logitech mouse it was 800 SEK. For that, I expect something that's not done by underaged workers who work for next to no pay. But as for things we use everyday, I don't think the majority of things are made by sweatshop workers. Probably the internals of this computer I'm writing this on is the worst offender if we exlude the Microsoft Xbox Controller on my desk that's probably made by this very factory.
All of the new appliances for my kitchen for instance is made within Europe, as is my monitor, my TV, my car etc. Since I'm assembling a new kitchen at the moment I've identified two parts of the new kitchen that are made outside of Europe, the sink (china) and the little plastic legs that go under each cabinet (india). I like that IKEA labels every single bag with the country of origin.
Point is that it's perfectly possible to manufacture goods or items under good conditions (with western wages) and still sell them for a reasonable price.
Also, I have a real problem with the misleading thread title. Reading the article again, it's clear that Microsoft not only did not know about these conditions, but Microsoft did do inspections to verify acceptable working conditions (how many people go that far to check up on employee conditions with parts subcontractors?), and most importantly, KYE actively concealed these conditions from Microsoft inspectors. The sole blame for the working conditions lies with KYE, not Microsoft.
Neither Microsofts nor the local chinese goverments inspections were sincere, if they had been really interested in how the workers conditions were they would have sent un-announced inspection teams, which they dint. And I expect all companies that out-source production to asia (or anywhere else for that matter) to make inspections that determine that their products are made under fair conditions, and that the workers have the ability to make their voices heard.
Pointing fingers and blaming KYE, while they are the culprit, will accomplish nothing. We must blame Microsoft, Acer, Logitech or any other company that have their products produced under these conditions, because that is the only thing that will make any difference.
