In 2013 Apple learned that its supplier Suyin Electronics, that made parts for Macbooks used underage labour according a former Apple staff.
Apple failed to isolate the supplier for over three years.
Suyin Electronics Dongguan Co Ltd in Mainland China certified by ISO 9002 quality management system, allegedly uses forced Muslim labour. There aren’t many manufacturers that meet Apple’s standards for quality and volume and there are fewer still that can step in and fill its needs on short notice. Apple is often unwilling to incur higher costs and go through product delays. They claim Apple has avoided or delayed dropping a manufacturer when doing so would mean hurting its business.
Suyin Electronics mad HDMI and USB ports for the company’s MacBook lineup, had employed underage workers. The manufacturer promised to clean up its act, but a follow-up investigation by Apple found thee more underage workers including one 14-year-old, on Suyins assembly lines. Apple although did not give Suyin new work after its findings, it continued to work with the firm due to some existing contracts and took over three years to finally cut ties.
Apple found that the environmental health and safety culture in Biel is weak among all levels of management. Penalising Biel would have meant shifting orders to Lens Technology. The firm uses Uyghur labour to make parts for Apple, Amazon and other companies.