[tripoli]

Yep seen the pictures and talked to a few that have lived in conditions like that. They are almost brutal by our standards of living. Given what you see it can be quite a turn off to make you really think about what you are supporting buying their products.
On the other end, if you did not support those workers with these sales, conditions there would be much worse. Many of the workers are happy to have the jobs they do, even though they work conditions are so rough. They make it possible for many people to rise higher above the poverty conditions that have plagued them in the past. With the amount of money and technology flowing into the country, conditions are improving. It is the main reason George Bush Sr as ambassador and then President, pushed so hard for the continued trade imbalance in favor of the Chinese people. There are real issues to contend with, the government could make conditionas better, but it is a socialist government. But with conditions getting better, there is an increasing value on humanity there and hopefully one day poeple will stand up on their own to push for better working and living conditions.
It should be noted right now in China, there are more millionares than any other country in the world. The economy is booming and with hope, it is a matter of time when the capitolistic market balances more with the socialist regime. But to a certain extent, it is a common theme in humanity for those in power to not treat those in poverty or hard conditions better when they are able to. Here in the US, there are many businesses where owners do not have any interest of their employees at heart. Our society being more consumer driven tends to regulate itself better, however there are no perfect systems out there yet other than the humanity shown to others in sacrifice for others. Hopefully man evolves faster with a conscience than the market place or government systems have.

[JustPlaneNuttz]

Originally Posted by lanslide

I know...I'm beginning to feel guilty! Sadly, I don't think we would have a chance for a $60 quality Tomcat if it were not for the Chinese. Can you imagine how much more they would cost if produced in the USA?! We would not be able to afford them. I only hope these jobs have given them a chance at a better life than before. I can't imagine what it must be like.

Well, you could do it in the U.S.A. for about the same price as China. A workforce also exists They just don't pay tax. Nor does their employer.

Actually, that photo gives me the creeps. Urgh!

[Louie]

those guys in Harry's pic look like they should be singing the
oompa loompa doopity doo song.
Cool pic I would also like to see another diecast companies line photos.
I saw Corgi's courtesy of Tricatus and was fascinated.

[lanslide]

Louie, I'd like to see the Corgi production line photos. Can you post a link?

[flyXwire]

Originally Posted by Panther10

That's pretty much what Microsoft does. Their employees work 16 hour days and spend their nights in on-campus dormatories. Unless your already married, Working at the Microsoft headquarters leaves very little room for a private life

I used to be in that mode of work as a design engineer back in the 80's. It was fun while it lasted.

[trex0770]

Originally Posted by tripoli

Yep seen the pictures and talked to a few that have lived in conditions like that. They are almost brutal by our standards of living. Given what you see it can be quite a turn off to make you really think about what you are supporting buying their products.
On the other end, if you did not support those workers with these sales, conditions there would be much worse. Many of the workers are happy to have the jobs they do, even though they work conditions are so rough. They make it possible for many people to rise higher above the poverty conditions that have plagued them in the past. With the amount of money and technology flowing into the country, conditions are improving. It is the main reason George Bush Sr as ambassador and then President, pushed so hard for the continued trade imbalance in favor of the Chinese people. There are real issues to contend with, the government could make conditionas better, but it is a socialist government. But with conditions getting better, there is an increasing value on humanity there and hopefully one day poeple will stand up on their own to push for better working and living conditions.
It should be noted right now in China, there are more millionares than any other country in the world. The economy is booming and with hope, it is a matter of time when the capitolistic market balances more with the socialist regime. But to a certain extent, it is a common theme in humanity for those in power to not treat those in poverty or hard conditions better when they are able to. Here in the US, there are many businesses where owners do not have any interest of their employees at heart. Our society being more consumer driven tends to regulate itself better, however there are no perfect systems out there yet other than the humanity shown to others in sacrifice for others. Hopefully man evolves faster with a conscience than the market place or government systems have.

My fiance's stepdad has a business partner who owns a huge papermill in China and the conditions are exactly as described here. The thing is we have a tendency to look at everything from a Western social economic point of view. The conditions seem inhumane and sometimes brutal, but in reality the workers are quite happy. It's really all relative to what their lives were like before the availability of these jobs. A majority of these workers came from the countryside where there was no means of financial support. In the factories, the workers have healthcare, housing and social activities. Some are like campuses with shopping, entertainment, etc.. I'm not saying I'd like to do it but it is all relative.....so I'll keep buying and not feel too guilty about it!

[FormerViperDriver]

Originally Posted by lanslide

I only hope these jobs have given them a chance at a better life than before.

It does. These jobs are hard in relation to what we know here in the US and the West, but I think a lot of starving Ethiopians (for example) wouldn't mind switching places with those Chinese workers. Maybe my (or your) own great-great-grandparents (or go back far enough) wouldn't have minded either.

One has to keep some perspective. When you look at the world as a whole, particularly from a long-view historical perspective, our way of life is the exception, not the rule. Hopefully someday, with continuous improvement, the majority of the world's people can enjoy a standard of living closer to ours (while ours may need to decline a bit in order to conserve certain resources, but that remains to be seen). Buying made-in-China diecast helps this process, even if only in a small way.

FVD

[JustPlaneNuttz]

There is something strange about this photo. Things don't seem to add up. For instance:

1.) If these folks are indeed assembling diecast aircraft (or anything diecast), why is there a need for face masks, head covering, blue aprons and gowns?

2.) If I click on the photo, I am taken to our photo host where, strangely (or aptly?!), the photo is called:

chicken140906_228x245.jpg

Hmmmmmm. You know what I think? I think this is REALLY a shot of a chicken processing plant in Asia, perhaps passed off as a bit of a joke, that's what I think. Diecast indeed. Oh puh-lease!


JPN

[lanslide]

Hworth does not joke about diecast - you know that JPN!

[JustPlaneNuttz]

Originally Posted by lanslide

Hworth does not joke about diecast - you know that JPN!

With all due respect, I stand by my observations. If Hworth wishes to bring forth information to the contrary, I will personally apologize publicly here. Does that work for you?

Wouldn't be the first time I've eaten crow(!)

JPN