25th November 2022, Kathmandu
This week, violent protests broke out in Zhengzhou, China, following contract disputes at the world’s giant Apple iPhone factory.
The giant Apple iPhone factory saw violent disputes among officials and workers over untimely pay and strict working conditions following a covid outbreak.
Large groups could be seen blocking roads in the footage taken near the factory run by the Taiwan-based company Foxconn, Apple’s leading supplier.
The factory’s iPhone 14 production has been slowed by a labour shortage that began last month when a Covid outbreak and an accompanying lockdown sent workers fleeing back to their hometowns.
To keep production lines working, Foxconn offered bonuses and higher salaries to lure workers back and to recruit new employees.
Employees hired from across China began protesting over a rumour that they would have to work two additional months to receive the full payment promised in their contracts.
Apple said in a statement on Thursday that it had team members on the ground at the factory and was “working closely with Foxconn to ensure their employees’ concerns are addressed.”
Foxconn’s Zhengzhou factory was hit by a covid outbreak in October, which forced the factory to be under lockdown for some time. Employees have reportedly been isolated and forced to live and work on-site with limited food and supplies to prevent further outbreaks.
Foxconn has reportedly offered to pay newly recruited workers 10,000 yuan ($1,400) to quit and leave the world’s largest iPhone assembly factory. This step comes as an attempt to stamp out protests that saw hundreds clash with security forces in central China.
