pikelet

Oh my god. I need this in my life.

Okay, is everyone who is saying 'blah blah normal working conditions they should be grateful for the job nothing is wrong and this is overreacting just because it's not what we're used to' not read the parts about:

* workers are not being paid the full wages due to them, are illegally not enrolled in healthcare or pension scheme, are paid so little they don't even qualify to be taxed and are forced to work more overtime hours, some unpaid, than the law allows

"After deductions for room and board and administrative fees of $39.17, the worker should have taken home $289.65 for the month. [based on if they were earning minimum wage and if the overtime is calculated correctly]

But this is not what the worker got paid. His regular wage for May 2008 was 770 RMB ($110.88), while he was paid just 924 RMB ($133.06) for overtime, for a total wage of $243.94 for the month. His bonuses and stipends added another 299 RMB ($43.06), bringing his wages up to $287 for the month. After deductions of $39.17 for room and board and administrative fees, his take-home wage dropped to $247.83."

* the exposure to unsafe working conditions:

"In the Plastic Molding Department, there are more than 30 large molding machines which operate around the clock, constantly throwing off a great deal of heat. Despite the extreme temperatures, there is no air conditioning. Workers in this department are soaked in their own sweat, which results in rashes breaking out on their arms and faces. The rashes can become so itchy that back in the dorm—despite their exhaustion—some workers have trouble sleeping. These workers are also being cheated, as they should be receiving a “high temperature subsidy”—which they are not."

"Workers routinely come into contact with potentially toxic liquids in the Spray Paint Department but are not allowed to know even the names of the solvents and cleaners they work with. The workers report that the paint also has a strong irritating smell and must in some way be corrosive, since contact with it can cause blisters and peeling skin. Only occasionally are workers in the spray paint department even provided with cheap, disposable respiratory masks. "

I'm sorry, but that is fucking unacceptable. Yes, the cost of living in China is lower and as such, they don't need to be paid as much as a US worker, but the workers here are not even being paid the Chinese minimum wage and are not being paid the correct rate for the overtime they put in. The safety part is appalling - no human being should be treated like that.

Le gosh, my avatar would totally express romantic feelings over Xbox Live for that avatar. Except I have a feeling my boyfriend's avatar would not approve (and is also not going to be caught dead in a suit, and hopefully we will not be playing Xbox. Well, maybe after dinner. He can save me from Legendary campaign in Halo 3.)

I will continue to revolt until we get our goddamn shutter shades from the preview back. I want to change his smile but I can't until then :(

http://i7.photobucket.com/albums/y272/virtute/DSC00272.jpg

(guests are forced to play with this profile)

You know what sucks? The preview had goddamn SHUTTER SHADES. I have them on my guest profile's avatar (bad caricature of Kanye West) and I'm pretty sure he's also wearing a hoodie that's no longer available (I think it was called 'pixel hoodie', looks like a BAPE one, hence why Kanye is wearing it).

Come on MS. BRING BACK SHUTTER SHADES~

We have $99 (US$50) PS3s with 1080p Bravias in New Zealand right now (RRP is $799 here). Of course, we bought our Bravia six months ago. No cheap PS3 for me :(

That is the cutest avatar picture EVER.

Urgh I know...none of the female shoes match ANY pair of shoes I actually own. Considering how many shoes I own, that is saying something. I had to settle for the yellow 'pumps' which are identical to the 'ballet flats'...dear MS, those two kinds of shoes are COMPLETELY DIFFERENT.