Union Members Advocate for Ethical Business Practices
In a significant move reflecting the intersection of technology and social responsibility, members of Arkane Studios, affiliated with the French union STJV, have publicly called on Microsoft to cease its support for Israel. This initiative aligns with the broader Boycott, Divest and Sanction (BDS) movement, as well as the No Azure for Apartheid campaign, both of which advocate for Palestinian rights.
The BDS movement, established in 2005, seeks to discourage corporate engagement with Israel, urging artists and companies alike to reconsider their presence in the region. Recently, the movement intensified its efforts, particularly after revelations regarding Microsoft’s provision of services to the Israeli military. In April, the call for a boycott of Xbox was issued, highlighting the growing concern within the gaming community.
In a parallel effort, the No Azure for Apartheid initiative has gained momentum, with over 2,000 employees from Microsoft’s gaming division signing a petition demanding an end to the company’s support for Israel due to its treatment of Palestinians. The STJV articulated their stance with a poignant message: “We think that Microsoft has no place being accomplice of a genocide, and as Microsoft employees, we don’t want to be part of this sinister project for Gaza.” This sentiment underscores a deep commitment among tech workers to ensure that their contributions do not facilitate oppression.
The union members further emphasized their responsibility to advocate for ethical usage of technology, stating, “We think it’s our responsibility, as tech workers, to raise the alarm, and to ensure that our technologies are used to make the voices of the oppressed heard, and not facilitate their demise.” They also expressed concerns about the potential repercussions of Microsoft’s actions on their professional landscape, noting that a diminished audience for their games could jeopardize the viability of Xbox Games and, ultimately, their own job security.
