Great photo college! Could you email me a high pix photo for better resolution on Facebook?

I’d not seen that one – had no idea things were that bad in fringes of UK electronics industry. This was back in 2004 though, and things may have changed to a little degree for migrant workers in the UK, as the Gangmasters’ Licensing Authority has started to clean up other sectors which use migrant labour (though with rumours it would be cut last year, the future of any gains here is far from certain).

I don’t think it shows Samsung as being measurably worse than Foxconn though. There’s a degree of difference in that Samsung is a Korean manufacturer/assembler. They make some of their own components in house (eg AMOLED screens) but also use extensive outsourced components from right around the world. Foxconn are a virtual manufacturer/assembler, who act as the physical arm for the ‘virtual brand’ Apple (and others like Nokia) and who also outsource many components.

There’s a big gulf between conditions in Samsung’s own factories in Korea and in other countries and those in their component suppliers. Like in the article here, Samsung have provided decent jobs in the UK, complying with domestic labour law, but they also rely heavily on a network of shady outsourcers who don’t, and abuse their workforces. In Korea, Samsung are far from perfect (they have a no union policy for starters), but their conditions are better than those further down their supply chains. With Foxconn, it’s crap all the way from the centre out.

This is in no way to exonerate Samsung from the abuses that are built into their products, but I believe there is a difference there. With Samsung, we need to show that they can’t hide the abuse by keeping it out of sight and out of mind in the supply chain. If they allow their outsourcers to do things they wouldn’t do in their own factories, they’re still complicit. With Foxconn, we also need to expose the abuse that happens directly in their factories, and is designed into the process by Foxconn themselves.

Apple’s latest announcements on joining the FLA could be a step towards bringing Foxconn up to scratch centrally, but we need to scrutinise this to check it’s actually happening (The FLA can be used to brush problems under the carpet by companies who don’t want to change. It’s a good first step, but only a first step).

However of course the picture gets event murkier with the complexity of some of these supply chains. Foxconn buy a lot of components from Samsung to make iPhones (They’re one of the biggest component manufacturers for that particular device), and Samsung use Foxconn made components in their own devices. Here’s a very interesting breakdown diagram: http://www.economist.com/node/21525685

The other story, on their continued use of PVC/BFRs in some products, is one I’ve picked up on since (more here http://www.johninnit.co.uk/2012/01/06/doh-samsung-galaxy-note-not-nearly-as-ethical-as-id-thought/ ), and you’re right about me reconsidering the purchase! Samsung are one of the worst major brands at eradicating these harmful plastics from their product line, something they’ve been heavily criticised for, and I’m now not sure what the current status of this is. Their own site says any phone designed since April 2010 is PVC/BFR free, which should mean most if not all of their currently produced range. However, they still do use them in some components (mostly cabling) of other machines in their very wide product range.

sprea the word guys….. its shocking….foxconn htc actually better. read the whole thing.

One more shocking fact – samsung printers use foxconn circuit boards. These facts are astounding for samsung fans who believe it to be ethical- i was just one of them before i read that guardian news.

I’m a reporter working on a story about seeking an ethical smartphone, and I’d love to talk to you about your own quest. aleonard@salon.com.

Just looking into my own upgrade and discovered your efforts. Thank you for exploring this issue to any degree although the findings are generally discouraging. The minutiae of suppliers is a minefield and one that almost makes sustainability impossible as true analysis, reporting and coercing (cyclically, indefinitely) would push costs at every stage of manufacturing leading to the county/factory/person cutting corners dominating the market as the masses just don’t care enough.

I don’t doubt if we look into many modern consumables we’ll find similar disparity between sustainability and reality. How many consumers care though? By and large job creation and preservation remain more important drivers than sustainability, and exploitation is a relative concept. Maybe for consumers there should be a standard list on these products highlighting areas the companies are failing on. Like online consumer reviewing this sort of benchmarking might motivate the necessary change.

The ethical thing seems to be stick with my old phone really. That’s not very exciting is this I-want-the-shiny-shiny world. Maybe instead of ‘upgrading’ I could request my service provider to donate to a developing nation on my behalf.

Anyway, I’m rambling, thanks again for digging into this.

P.S HTC Sensation had been in my top 3 before I got here, not saying I’m getting one though!