Foxconn claims the pay dispute is over, reminding us of its commitment to fair treatment and worker's rights. Yet, that worker who talked to Barboza asked not to be identified for fear of punishment by Foxconn, leading us to believe the worker-boss relations at Foxconn still don't meet American standards.

The infamous manufacturer has taken actions to make things better, now employing psychiatrists and counsel workers, as a part of its effort to improve working conditions at the plant that makes a lot of our must-have electronics from Apple, Microsoft and Amazon -- just to name a few. But these improvements apparently haven't done enough to meet worker's needs, as suicides and protests continue.

Foxconn isn't the only one trying to save face, since the media coverage of the event, which involved makers of the Xbox, Microsoft has released its own corporate statement.

Microsoft takes working conditions in the factories that manufacture its products very seriously, and we are currently investigating this issue. We have a stringent Vendor Code of Conduct that spells out our expectations, and we monitor working conditions closely on an ongoing basis and address issues as they emerge. Microsoft is committed to the fair treatment and safety of workers employed by our vendors and to ensuring conformance with Microsoft policy.

We don't think this one resolution will change the long hours, fatigue, and physical disabilities it takes to make iPhones and Xboxes, as Mike Daisey detailed on This American Life. But we suppose it's a step. And, to handle that guilt as we wait for marked improvements, take The New York Times's Paul Krugman's attitude, who points out things could be worse. A step up from laboring in the fields, these factories have led to an improved quality of life for most of the workers. Industrialization is a step toward modernity, he argues.

This article is from the archive of our partner The Wire.

We want to hear what you think about this article. Submit a letter to the editor or write to letters@theatlantic.com.