Apple launched the iPhone 17 series recently at the “Awe-dropping” event. The iPhone maker has been alleged by workers at Foxconn’s China Plants of “difficult working conditions”. According to a report by Bloomberg the workers at Foxconn Zhengzhou facility in China reportedly faced difficult conditions while preparing Apple’s iPhone 17.
Covering the period between March and September, the investigation sheds light on problems like unpaid wages, forced overtime, coercive night shifts, and other labour violations during the ramp-up for Apple’s latest smartphone lineup.
What exactly are the working conditions?
China Labour Watch also flagged coercion of students into night shifts with low pay, discriminatory hiring practices excluding multiple ethnic groups, unsafe exposure to chemicals without proper protective gear, and harassment or intimidation of employees who voiced complaints. The organisation suggested that Apple representatives were aware of these conditions, as they were present on-site at the facility.
Apple’s Official Statement
Apple emphasised its commitment to labour rights and ethical practices. It said responding on the matter “Our suppliers are required to provide safe working conditions, treat workers with dignity and respect, act fairly and ethically, and use environmentally responsible practices wherever they make products or perform services for Apple,”. Apple added that third-party audits are regularly conducted, and that its teams were immediately on-site to investigate the reported issues.
Foxconn Violating Norms?
Foxconn, officially known as Hon Hai Precision Industry Co., did not immediately comment. The Zhengzhou plant, sometimes referred to as “iPhone City,” employed between 150,000 and 200,000 workers during the reported period, with temporary staff accounting for over half of the workforce, five times above the legal limit according to China Labor Watch. While some improvements in total overtime were noted compared to the organisation’s 2019 investigation, many problems persist, suggesting that the pressure on workers remains high during peak production periods.
This news comes at an important juncture for Apple. Since the company is already planning to reduce it’s dependence on China for manufacturing. Instead it has slowly and steadily shifting bases to India and example of which is the increased iPhone 17 production in the India plants. Additionally this strategy enhance Apple’s supply chain resilience from US President’s tariffs.
