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PlayStation 4’s made with cheap slave labour?

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foxconn

Whenever there’s a new iDevice being released, it’s accompanied by reports of the hardware being put together by the cheap Chinese slave labour factories run by Foxconn. Now those claims are being levied against Sony and its PlayStation 4.

While the PlayStation 3 was made in Japan, the significantly cheaper PlayStation 4 has been outsourced to the infamous Foxconn. Reports from Chinese media say that the PS4 is being produced by Foxconn using even cheaper labour than their regular, perpetually depressed factory workers; they’re using college students, who’ve apparently been “forced” to put the console together under some pretty horrible conditions

Reports say that "thousands" of students from Xi’an Technological University were forced to work at Foxconn’s Yantai plant as part of some study/work intern exchange program this year. Apparently it was mandatory for the students, who would not be able to receive their qualifications without participating.

The students say they were given tasks outside of their fields of study (via China.com), including straight up manual labour.

"It’s like being a robot," said student Wang Yiran, who claims she was made to do menial jobs in building the PS4 and assembling units.  she also claims they were made to work 11 hours a day, sometimes longer – and were granted just one half-hour break for lunch, and a ten minute break in the mornings.

If true, this’ll put a damper on the Ps4 launch – especially when you open up the box to realise that it was all put together by an overworked, underpaid kid.

Last Updated: October 10, 2013

74 Comments

  1. TiMsTeR1033

    October 10, 2013 at 13:39

    This may sway the masses to Ms if it is indeed true! unless Ms is using actual children to assemble the Xbones…

    Reply

    • Alien Emperor Trevor

      October 10, 2013 at 13:42

      lol No it won’t. At best someone will think of that before buying one & think it’s terrible, then buy one anyway because they want it.

      Reply

      • NecroRince

        October 10, 2013 at 13:44

        Exactly, humans love to make noises, but if those noises mean no gaming time, pah!

        Reply

    • Brenz

      October 10, 2013 at 14:32

      pfft, nobody cares, half the shit we buy is made in similar and worse conditions, it’ll pass as all bad news does

      Reply

      • Jim Lenoir (Banana Jim)

        October 10, 2013 at 17:18

        Banana Jim looks at his tekkies…. Yep! Made in Sri Lanka! Some poor Sri Lankan child probably made my shoes. I wonder if he was paid more than a dollar that month.

        Oh a Nestle bar… mmm some poor exploited Congolese (probably a child) helped harvest the cocoa.

        Oh… petrol in my gas tank… The Niger delta is in ruin because of Shell and their nefarious practices in that region.

        The world is a shitty place….

        Reply

        • Brenz

          October 10, 2013 at 17:32

          The world is a shitty place, if you really want to feel guilt free you can look at it as providing jobs for the poverty stricken children who would have to beg for even less on the streets.
          In the end, it happens in every day in ways we can only imagine, either benefit from it and learn to live guilt free, or cry and live a life filled with remorse and worry over the poor people in other countries.
          I choose to ignore, out of sight, out of mind.
          Now if you will excuse me, these sticky bombs arent going to wreak havoc by themselves…

          Reply

          • Jim Lenoir (Banana Jim)

            October 10, 2013 at 17:44

            Exactly! That’s the only way NOT to become an alcoholic. 😛 But seriously though, this stuff can weigh you down. That’s why I have the utmost respect for people working for NGOs.

          • Brenz

            October 10, 2013 at 17:46

            It can, but luckily I have the ability to block things out quite effectively. some people call it lack of compassion, I call it a coping mechanism. 🙂

  2. NecroRince

    October 10, 2013 at 13:40

    I suppose MS are using virgin Unicorns that shit rainbows?

    Reply

    • Skyblue

      October 10, 2013 at 13:41

      At $500 you’re probably right. Rainbow shit sounds expensive.

      Reply

    • Jim Lenoir (Banana Jim)

      October 10, 2013 at 17:19

      Nah! Microsoft would NEVER use Chinese labour for their consoles, it’s all American! ho ho ho! 😛

      Reply

  3. Uberutang

    October 10, 2013 at 13:41

    What a brilliant idea.

    Reply

  4. Skyblue

    October 10, 2013 at 13:41

    On the flipside, at least we all get cheap PS4’s !!
    DISCLAIMER: this is meant to be a snarky comment. No Chinese child labourers were involved in it’s utterance but their hard work was definitely required in the evolution of it’s final phrasing.

    Reply

    • TiMsTeR1033

      October 10, 2013 at 13:53

      nice disclaimer.

      Reply

  5. ElimiNathan

    October 10, 2013 at 13:43

    Where’s my whip !? Put that console of mine together properly !!!

    Reply

  6. Trebzz

    October 10, 2013 at 13:44

    Aren’t Levi’s jeans made in Vietnam? 😛

    Reply

  7. Martin du preez

    October 10, 2013 at 13:44

    What electronics are NOT made in Chinese sweatshops these days? Samsung and Apple are also guilty of this.

    Reply

    • Arturo Rincon

      October 16, 2013 at 22:27

      microsoft.

      Reply

      • Martin du preez

        October 17, 2013 at 07:04

        MS is not an electronic.

        Reply

  8. Umar ZoMg Reiner

    October 10, 2013 at 13:48

    Well let’s Not buy a PS4 then…Also throw away a wii/3DS if you have one, oh you have an Iphone?Apple uses Foxconn too, THROW IT OUT… Don’t forget about your Xbox now

    Reply

    • Alien Emperor Trevor

      October 10, 2013 at 13:51

      Almost EVERYTHING is made some dingy factory somewhere in Asia.

      Reply

      • Umar ZoMg Reiner

        October 10, 2013 at 13:51

        Seems dodgy that this news came out a month before the PS4’s release

        Reply

    • HvR

      October 10, 2013 at 14:42

      Also Nokia, Motorolla, Dell, Acer, Cisco and ..wait for it.. Microsoft products!!!!

      Although not the final assembly, but most of the electronic assembly of the Xbox products are done by Foxconn.

      Reply

      • Fweds

        October 11, 2013 at 01:43

        This news is about Sony and the PS4 nothing to do with the other company’s who are obviously NOT using the same method.

        Reply

        • Hammersteyn

          October 14, 2013 at 14:51

          Only MS is using the same method 😛

          Reply

    • Kyou

      October 10, 2013 at 16:53

      I ALREADY THREW AWAY MY 3DS!! IT WAS A WASTE OF MONEY ANYWAY!! AND FUCK POKEMON X AND Y, THAT GAME SUCKS ANYWAY!!

      Reply

      • Jim Lenoir (Banana Jim)

        October 10, 2013 at 17:50

        Dude… lol what is it with you and Pokemon?

        Reply

        • Kyou

          October 10, 2013 at 18:55

          POKEMON!? IT’S DEAD, COMPLETELY DEAD!! R.I.P. POKEMON!! 1996-2013

          Reply

  9. Lord Chaos

    October 10, 2013 at 13:52

    All this will do is confirm that I should wait a while before getting the new hardware while they whip… umm… I mean iron out the kinks.

    Reply

  10. Exalted Overlord Geoffrey Tim

    October 10, 2013 at 13:53

    For reference, the header picture is not one of my family reunions.

    Reply

    • Lord Chaos

      October 10, 2013 at 13:54

      I was thinking there were way to few people in the header for that. ;P

      Reply

    • TiMsTeR1033

      October 10, 2013 at 13:55

      Felt the need to add that? Why not tell us all about those Gta v physics again…

      Reply

      • Exalted Overlord Geoffrey Tim

        October 10, 2013 at 13:57

        Lol. That was a joke. Don’t take a thing I say on Twitter seriously. Not bored of it, just too busy to play,.

        Reply

        • TiMsTeR1033

          October 10, 2013 at 14:00

          Pitty would enjoy playing with you online!

          Reply

          • Anon A Mouse

            October 10, 2013 at 14:57

            Tim because I already had a go at you earlier this morning and because I have a belly full of coffee I will let this double meaning sentence slide 😉

    • Alien Emperor Trevor

      October 10, 2013 at 13:57

      And here I was going to ask if your sister was single.

      Reply

    • Umar ZoMg Reiner

      October 10, 2013 at 13:57

      Dammit, I was busy playing Where’s Geoffrey

      Reply

  11. Tarisma

    October 10, 2013 at 13:54

    wont effect anything the masses don’t care, we live in a consumer world its all me me me me me me me.

    Reply

  12. oVg

    October 10, 2013 at 14:00

    😛

    Reply

    • Jim Lenoir (Banana Jim)

      October 10, 2013 at 17:24

      They should have used child labour.

      I for one is keen on the youth entering the workforce at an early age. I think if you hit 10 years old, you should already be in an office or in a factory making shit. THAT’S WHAT’S WRONG WITH SOCIETY TODAY! Too many slackers playing video games and not paying taxes!! I mean look at all those 23 year old hipster scum sitting in coffee shops – doing nothing but blogging, tweeting and sipping Ugandan coffee. If they had the work ethic of a 10 year old Sri Lankan or Indonesian labourer, then this world would have been a better place.

      Banana’s Republican Right-Wing Rant!

      Reply

      • oVg

        October 10, 2013 at 17:28

        u have my vote

        Reply

        • Jim Lenoir (Banana Jim)

          October 10, 2013 at 17:46

          You will be my trusted advisor. I look forward to you joining my cabinet, Admiral General OVG!

          The Greater Southern Kingdom of Nambabwe will rise and we will be its beret-wearing leaders! Hopefully one day we will even invade Zambia and make that country our holiday resort! Muahahahah Muahahaha!

          Reply

          • oVg

            October 10, 2013 at 18:06

            Nambabwe is in for a treat. We learn from the best 😛

          • Jim Lenoir (Banana Jim)

            October 10, 2013 at 18:13

            Parliament is the cure for insomnia!!!!

          • Hammersteyn

            October 14, 2013 at 14:51

            I though for a second it was a cyanide attack. How is it possible for so many people to sleep during parliament?

  13. jojo

    October 10, 2013 at 14:05

    Isnt everything made using cheap chinese labour..everything from the pc im writing this on to the clothes im wearing right now..this is nothing more than a bit of sensationlism…

    Reply

    • HvR

      October 10, 2013 at 14:43

      These days they are also using cheap Mexican (for American markets) and Hungarian (for European market) labour.

      Reply

  14. UltimateNinjaPandaDudeGuy

    October 10, 2013 at 14:11

    Every single dam thing you buy is made in China… All companies do this!

    Well except for Apple… They are obviously worse and deserve more criticism.

    Reply

  15. Seraphim

    October 10, 2013 at 14:13

    I (almost) feel that these kids work better hours than I do.
    Except I get off early for part-time lectures twice a week.

    Reply

  16. Brenz

    October 10, 2013 at 14:34

    awwww shame, students made to work long hours as part of practical learning in harsh conditions in order to pass, what travesty, fucking little crybabies.
    Try being a chef, I worked under inhumane conditions, 15 hour days, the worst pay you could imagine, while studying and for many years after to get into a decent position, and thats totally legal, kids these days are soft ass pansies, harden the fuck up.

    Reply

    • Jim Lenoir (Banana Jim)

      October 10, 2013 at 17:49

      My cousin is a chef…. brutal! Absolutely brutal!

      Reply

      • Brenz

        October 10, 2013 at 17:55

        Exactly, and these little pussies crying about being forced to assemble PS4’s for longer their agreed upon 9 hour work day, and for work experience no less! Forgive me if I dont rush to the sympathy bank to withdraw all i have immediately.

        Reply

        • Jim Lenoir (Banana Jim)

          October 10, 2013 at 17:57

          Man, now that you mentioned they need to “harden the fuck up”, I just read that Chopper Reed died. 🙁

          Reply

          • Brenz

            October 10, 2013 at 18:18

            oh shit you right, he died yesterday.
            totally crazy guy, RIP

  17. Gavin Mannion

    October 10, 2013 at 14:41

    Why isn’t the alt-text on that image “Attack of the clones”?

    Reply

  18. FoxOneZA

    October 10, 2013 at 15:11

    Overworked, underpaid kid with no experience.

    Reply

    • Jim Lenoir (Banana Jim)

      October 10, 2013 at 18:02

      Meanwhile, just down the aisle, Wan’s brother is assembling an xbone…. with nothing but some wires, an empty can of flavoured coconut drink and the tears of an exploited student.

      Next Gen is going to be interesting. Maybe, I should reconsider being an early adopter…. :/ I demand experienced workers building my crap!

      Reply

  19. fred

    October 10, 2013 at 15:40

    nar sony not like apple 😉

    Reply

  20. Kyou

    October 10, 2013 at 16:56

    THEY NEED TO ABOLISH SWEATSHOPS IMMEDIATELY NOW!!!

    Reply

    • Jim Lenoir (Banana Jim)

      October 10, 2013 at 17:25

      If Tropico 4 taught me anything, WE NEED MORE SWEATSHOPS ESPECIALLY IN SOUTH AFRICA!

      Reply

      • Kyou

        October 11, 2013 at 05:34

        WHAT IS WRONG WITH YOU!? HAVE YOU LOST YOUR MIND!? WE DON’T NEED NO MORE SWEATSHOPS, SO GET THE FUCK OFF BEFORE IT GETS REAL UGLY FOR YOU!!

        Reply

        • Jim Lenoir (Banana Jim)

          October 11, 2013 at 12:38

          Yes we do! Think about it, massive factory complexes filled to the brim with underpaid and overworked workers – products filling up warehouse, ready for export!

          It warms my heart! The profits! THE PROFITS!! But first, we need to outlaw unions and return the labour laws to before 1850. What’s the best kind of worker? An UNPAID WORKER!

          Muahahahah Muahahahahaha Muahahahahhha! The Monopoly man would be so proud! 😀

          Reply

          • Kyou

            October 11, 2013 at 18:29

            I HATE YOU!!! THIS ISN’T FUNNY!!! YOU THINK ADDING MORE SWEATSHOPS IS ALRIGHT AND FUNNY!!! NO IT’S NOT!!! THAT’S JUST SAD!!! WHAT IS WRONG WITH THE WORLD!!! OH GOD DROP A COLONY ON EARTH!!!

          • Jim Lenoir (Banana Jim)

            October 11, 2013 at 19:04

            So I guess you’re not applying for the foreman’s position?

  21. Flops

    October 10, 2013 at 17:07

    These are the same children that build those cheap idevices that are losing market share faster than Microsoft.

    Reply

  22. Jim Lenoir (Banana Jim)

    October 10, 2013 at 17:13

    Much ado about nothing, I spotted this bit of news earlier today, and essentially the students are doing the work as part of their in-service training (it’s for varsity credit). Of course, the spin is the most funny part of all of it. Are people so desperate for something negative on Sony? Anything to make the xbone look a little less like the dog turd it is?

    Reply

  23. Jim Lenoir (Banana Jim)

    October 10, 2013 at 17:58

    Anyway, those damn kids better not screw around. If my PS4 breaks after only a month, there’s going to be hell to pay!

    Reply

  24. Jim Lenoir (Banana Jim)

    October 10, 2013 at 18:18

    But just before we get the usual suspects, like a certain Foxhound…. http://www.geek.com/games/foxconn-is-already-assembling-the-new-xbox-for-microsoft-1555877/

    Foxconn is assembling the xbone too!

    Reply

    • Hammersteyn

      October 14, 2013 at 14:50

      How stupid does the trolls feel now after the wheel chair story and the free PS4 consoles today?

      Reply

  25. Mark Treloar

    October 11, 2013 at 08:54

    Double edged sword, if you consider that MS and Sony are both using AMD SOC in their systems

    Reply

  26. CypherGate

    October 11, 2013 at 09:38

    Now thats depressing. Its a shame some companies do this to maximize profits. I hope this isnt true cause i have a PS4 preordered and would feel guilty knowing some kid worked like a slave for almost nothing to get me something that good.

    Reply

  27. Uberutang

    October 11, 2013 at 10:00

    This is not a bad thing. All 3 parties win.

    Customers gets cheap goods.
    Companies get contracts to produce goods.
    Students get job experience at a grass roots level.

    It is like the zuma year our medical students do.

    We should do the same here for all industries.

    Want to be a mining engineer? 1 year in a mine for you.
    Design cars? One year on the factory floor.

    Reply

    • Jim Lenoir (Banana Jim)

      October 11, 2013 at 12:43

      Want to become a politician? One year in prison!

      Reply

  28. asfgsag

    October 12, 2013 at 12:17

    real cancel ps4 pre order

    Reply

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