Then let me say that I am in support of underage workers.
The idea that preventing children to work in these factories helps the children is ill-conceived, as you pointed out. If Apple wanted to help these children, it could have required better working conditions or better pay, but not letting them work doesn't achieve the goal.
These kids won't just say "alright let's go to school then" when they can't work anymore.
Not in the case of firing the company outright but the article clearly illustrates what happens to the children these companies employ against contract terms:
>Apple requires its suppliers to return the workers back to a school chosen by the family and finance their education. "In addition, the children must continue to receive income matching what they received when they were employed. We also follow up regularly to ensure that the children remain in school and that the suppliers continue to uphold their financial commitment," wrote Apple in its latest report.
The idea that preventing children to work in these factories helps the children is ill-conceived, as you pointed out. If Apple wanted to help these children, it could have required better working conditions or better pay, but not letting them work doesn't achieve the goal.
These kids won't just say "alright let's go to school then" when they can't work anymore.