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Hong Kong protesters picket Apple supplier meeting
By MIN LEE - Associated Press Writer HONG KONG -- Protesters picketed Foxconn's annual general meeting in Hong Kong on Tuesday, accusing both the Apple Inc. supplier and computer giant of poor corporate ethics after a spate of suicides at Foxconn factories in mainland China.
The 30 demonstrators held signs saying, "Workers are not machines. They have self-esteem," outside a hotel function room where shareholders of Hong Kong-listed Foxconn International Holdings Ltd. were meeting.
They also targeted Apple Inc., waving a cardboard cutout of Chief Executive Steve Jobs with devil's horns and another placard featuring the company logo and the words "Bloody Apple."
Paul Sakuma
AP Photo - Apple CEO Steve Jobs gestures to attendees to turn off their Wi-Fi as he has problems demonstrates the new iPhone 4 during the Apple Worldwide Developers Conference, Monday, June 7, 2010, in San Francisco.
Vincent Yu
AP Photo - A cardboard cutout of Apple Inc. CEO Steve Jobs portrayed with devil's horns and paper figures symbolizing Chinese workers are placed by protesters outside a Foxconn's annual general meeting during a protest in Hong Kong Tuesday, June 8, 2010. Protesters picketed Foxconn's annual general meeting in Hong Kong on Tuesday, accusing both the Apple Inc. supplier and computer giant of poor corporate ethics after a recent spate of suicides at Foxconn factories in mainland China.
Vincent Yu
AP Photo - Protesters pray for the Foxconn workers who committed suicide next to a cardboard cutout of Apple Inc.'s Chief Executive Steve Jobs portrayed with devil horns and placards reading " Bloody Apple " at a Apple Inc. premium reseller during a protest in Hong Kong Tuesday, June 8, 2010. Protesters picketed Foxconn's annual general meeting in Hong Kong and targeted Apple retailers on Tuesday, accusing both the Apple Inc. supplier and computer giant of poor corporate ethics after a recent spate of suicides at Foxconn factories in mainland China.
Vincent Yu
AP Photo - Protesters place a placard reading "Bloody Apple" near a computer at a Apple Inc. premium reseller during a protest in Hong Kong Tuesday, June 8, 2010. Protesters picketed Foxconn's annual general meeting in Hong Kong on Tuesday, accusing both the Apple Inc. supplier and computer giant of poor corporate ethics after a recent spate of suicides at Foxconn factories in mainland China.
Vincent Yu
AP Photo - A police officer stands next to a placard placed by protesters at an Apple Inc. premium reseller during a protest in Hong Kong Tuesday, June 8, 2010. Protesters picketed Foxconn's annual general meeting in Hong Kong on Tuesday, accusing both the Apple Inc. supplier and computer giant of poor corporate ethics after a recent spate of suicides at Foxconn factories in mainland China.
Vincent Yu
AP Photo - A cardboard cutout of Apple Inc. CEO Steve Jobs portrayed with devil's horns and paper figures symbolizing Chinese workers are placed by protesters during a protest in Hong Kong Tuesday, June 8, 2010. Protesters picketed Foxconn's annual general meeting in Hong Kong on Tuesday, accusing both the Apple Inc. supplier and computer giant of poor corporate ethics after a recent spate of suicides at Foxconn factories in mainland China.
Vincent Yu
AP Photo - Protesters place a placard reading "Bloody Apple" on a computer at an Apple Inc. premium reseller during a protest in Hong Kong Tuesday, June 8, 2010. Protesters picketed Foxconn's annual general meeting in Hong Kong and targeted Apple retailers on Tuesday, accusing both the Apple Inc. supplier and computer giant of poor corporate ethics after a recent spate of suicides at Foxconn factories in mainland China.
Hong Kong protesters picket Apple supplier meeting
Eleven workers have killed themselves and three attempted suicide at Foxconn's operations in China this year, mainly by jumping from buildings.
Protesters also laid white flowers at an Apple shop in a tribute to the dead workers. Organizer Debby Chan accused Foxconn of poor management, urging the Taiwanese manufacturer of iPhones and iPads to raise wages and let workers set up an independent union.
Chan said Apple should do a better job of monitoring labor and safety standards at their suppliers.
"They should strengthen their sense of corporate social responsibility," Chan said in a phone interview.
Calls to Apple and Foxconn went unanswered, and there was no immediate response to e-mails seeking comment.
Foxconn - the world's largest contract maker of electronics - announced two pay raises for their Chinese workers after the recent suicides. Company officials are also installing safety nets in buildings and hiring more counselors.
Labor activists accuse the company of having a rigid management style, an excessively fast assembly line and forced overwork, but Foxconn denies the allegations.
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