The Real Price of your Cell Phone | Mobile Phone | ENDEVR Documentary
ENDEVR・2 minutes read
People check their mobile phones an average of 150 times per day, with 1.8 billion sold annually globally. Investigations reveal concerning labor practices in Chinese factories, including child labor, with brands only spending 2.38 euros per phone on manufacturing costs.
Insights
- Mobile phone usage is incredibly pervasive, with individuals checking their devices 150 times daily, and a staggering 1.8 billion phones being sold annually globally, surpassing even toothbrush sales.
- The investigation into mobile phone manufacturing reveals distressing realities like child labor, minimal labor costs, and unethical working conditions, shedding light on the exploitative practices within the industry that major companies like Apple, Nokia, Samsung, and others profit from.
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Recent questions
How often do people check their mobile phones?
People check their mobile phones an average of 150 times per day, showcasing a significant reliance on these devices for various tasks and communication needs. This frequent interaction with smartphones underscores their integral role in modern daily life, shaping behaviors and habits.
What are the top mobile phone companies profiting from this trend?
Major mobile phone companies like Apple, Nokia, Samsung, LG, Sony, Huawei, and HTC are profiting immensely from the widespread use and demand for smartphones. These industry giants dominate the market, offering a variety of devices to cater to different consumer preferences and needs.
Are there concerning conditions in the manufacturing process of mobile phones?
Investigations into the manufacturing process of mobile phones have revealed troubling conditions, including instances of child labor in Chinese factories. These revelations shed light on the darker side of the industry, raising ethical and humanitarian concerns regarding the production practices of popular mobile phone brands.
What is the average labor cost for manufacturing phones?
Labor costs for manufacturing phones are minimal, with brands spending only 2.38 euros per phone on average. This low expenditure on labor highlights the cost-cutting measures employed by companies in the mobile phone industry, potentially compromising worker welfare and rights in pursuit of profit margins.
How do major smartphone brands address concerns about child labor in their supply chain?
Despite facing criticism and ethical concerns regarding labor conditions, major smartphone brands like Samsung have implemented new measures to combat child labor in their supply chain. These initiatives aim to address the exploitation and illegal practices uncovered in the industry, signaling a shift towards greater corporate responsibility and accountability in the mobile phone manufacturing sector.
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Summary
00:00
Mobile Phone Industry: Labor Exploitation Exposed
- People check their mobile phones an average of 150 times per day, indicating a significant reliance on these devices.
- Globally, 57 mobile phones are sold every second, totaling 1.8 billion annually, surpassing the number of toothbrushes in the world.
- Major mobile phone companies like Apple, Nokia, Samsung, LG, Sony, Huawei, and HTC are profiting immensely from this trend.
- Investigations into the manufacturing process of mobile phones reveal concerning conditions, including child labor in Chinese factories.
- Labor costs for manufacturing phones are minimal, with brands spending only 2.38 euros per phone on average.
- Despite efforts to obtain information from mobile phone brands about their suppliers and working conditions, no cooperation is received.
- A factory in China, LCE, employs children under 16, which is illegal both internationally and in China.
- The factory promises ideal working conditions but actually houses workers in cramped dormitories and enforces unsustainable work paces.
- The documentary team uncovers child workers leaving the factory, highlighting the exploitation and illegal practices in the mobile phone industry.
- The investigation delves into the extraction of tantalum, a crucial component in smartphones, revealing dangerous and exploitative conditions in mines in the Democratic Republic of the Congo.
30:51
Tantalum and Neodymium: Supply Chain Controversies
- MHI mine supplies tantalum, crucial for capacitors like those from AVX in mobile phones.
- AVX's major capacitor buyers include RIM, Motorola, and Nokia.
- At least eight men have died in the mines, prompting concerns from Nokia and Microsoft.
- Bill Gates, now with Microsoft, is questioned about the mining situation.
- Samsung, criticized for labor conditions, faces NGO reports and ethical concerns.
- Samsung unveils new measures to combat child labor in its supply chain.
- Neodymium magnets in smartphones come from a polluted mine in China.
- Pollution from the neodymium mine in Baotou, China, causes health issues and deaths.
- Despite pollution concerns, major smartphone brands like Sony, LG, and Apple continue to work with the polluting company, Baogang.
