Ibsen's Nora slammed the door, Foxconn's workers committed suicide

Every century has its front lines of change agents and how they make their message resonate. 

In the 19th century it was the dramatic character Nora created by Ibsen which got both men and women thinking about gender roles. 

In the 20th century it was the real-life muckraker Ralph Nader who got a fairer shake for consumers. 

In the 21st century it is the Chinese worker who commits suicide.

At the Foxconn plaint in Longhua, China, 10 workers took their lives.  In THE FINANCIAL TIMES, Kathnin Hille in Beijing reports:

"Foxconn plans to raise the wages of the Chinese workers by about 20 per cent after a spate of suicides at its main plant in southern China prompted international scrutiny of working conditions at its factory."

Foxconn is a contract manufacturer for Apple iPhones and iPods.  Its customers range from Dell to Hewlett-Packard.

The Longhua Ten are the heroes of our times.  Our century is about restoring a living wage, dignity, and safety to the workplace.  I wonder if BP has heard that message.