Apple Worker Conditions Detailed In Sustainability Report

In an effort to be better for employees, customers and the planet in general, Apple continued with its supplier responsibility efforts in 2016. The company released its 11th annual Supplier Responsibility progress report Monday.

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The company conducted more than 700 supplier audits in 2016 to be sure that companies partnered with Apple are complying to sound employee policies, the report said. Additionally, 2.4 million workers employed by Apple and Apple suppliers were trained on their employee rights in last year alone, according to Apple. Suppliers Apple uses employ more than 1.6 million people around the world and 98 percent of those suppliers comply with the work hour standards Apple puts forth.

“Our team works hard to raise the bar every year to improve working conditions, provide educational opportunities, push for higher standards of living, and protect human rights,” Jeff Williams, Apple’s Chief operating Officer, wrote in a letter included in the report.

Apple has faced controversy over its association with the supplier Foxconn. In 2012, Apple authorized an investigation by the Fair labor Association of the supplier after poor working conditions at Foxconn facilities were revealed. In 2009 several Foxconn employees committed suicide at a plant in China, a trend that continued, and in 2012 and again in 2013 violent riots among Foxconn employees broke out.

Since then Apple has increased the number of audits it conducts each year to ensure those who work at the suppliers they user are treated fairly.

In addition to sound employee policies Apple also helped suppliers conduct business in an environmentally friendly way. In the past Apple has been accused of covering up unsustainable practices at its factories and those of suppliers.

But the new report says that as part of Apple’s “Energy Efficiency” program the suppliers reduced 150,000 metric tons of carbon emissions from entering the atmosphere in 2016 and Apple has saved over 3.8 billion gallons of fresh water since 2013. And Apple is working to bring clean energy to power the plants in the future.