Through a report in GamesinAsia, thousands of students attending Xi’an Technological University are being forced to work at Foxconn’s Yantai plant to manufacture Sony’s upcoming PlayStation 4 console as part of a work-study program. This program was reported to be mandatory for the students and if they do no participate in the program, they would lose six course credits, effectively destroying the chance of graduating from college.
These same students reported that their working hours were the same as regular employees at Foxconn and that the only difference is that the students aren’t there of their free will. Some students were reported to have fainted during the strict work hours to develop the PS4. An update through Quartz reported that Foxconn had an internal investigation on the story and said that the students were given night shifts and overtime, both being violations to the policies of the company.
Whether or not this kind of practice is legal, it’s definitely icky to see a upcoming game console like the PS4 being involved around it. But hey, it’s not like Nintendo and Microsoft are out of the picture, right? Foxconn has developed electronics for Apple, Cisco, Dell, Google, HP, Motorola, Toshiba, Amazon (Kindle) and Vizio. So basically most companies who release electronics that we use in our daily life has in some way been made in Foxconn.
What’s your thoughts on this? Are you icky towards this news? Does it give a bad impression to the Play Station 4 to you? Leave your comments below! Thanks a bunch!
johnnyboygov
It is what it is, supply and demand why just now have this come to light just before the big launch, Ha makes me laugh if it bothers you that much………… stop buying all your tech, smartphones, tables, 3dtv, laptops, desktops get a grip
Nelson
I am sure Sony, Nintendo and Microsoft are not only once doing this. It’s China after all! They have the highest suicide rate in the world due to work stress. Japan follows in second place.