Angry Protests Break Out at Key iPhone Factory in China [Updated]

[MacRumors]

Riots broke out on Wednesday at the world's largest iPhone factory in the Chinese city of Zhengzhou, according to video shared on social media.

Footage widely circulated online shows hundreds of Foxconn workers marching in protest, clashing with police and some being confronted by people in hazmat suits.

Some video captured workers complaining about the food they had been provided, with others protesting that they had not been paid bonuses as promised.

The Zhengzhou plant is Foxconn's biggest iPhone factory with around 200,000 workers. Foxconn is responsible for assembling around 70 percent of the iPhones that Apple sells, and it has been struggling to keep employees on site due to COVID lockdowns.

China's zero-COVID policy requires cities to quickly quell outbreaks through restrictions, and with COVID spreading in Zhengzhou, workers have wanted to return home to avoid being stuck at the factory should there be a more stringent lockdown.

Workers have also been unhappy with restrictions at the factory, such as the closure of the dine-in cafeteria, and a shortage of supplies that caused a panic.

Employee issues at the Zhengzhou plant could cause ‌iPhone‌ output to fall as much as 30 percent. Foxconn has attempted to mitigate the supply issues by offering bonuses and ramping up production at another factory in Shenzhen, but workers at the Zhengzhou plant have accused Foxconn of not living up to contract agreements.

"They changed the contract so that we could not get the subsidy as they had promised. They quarantine us but don't provide food," said one Foxconn worker on video shared online. "If they do not address our needs, we will keep fighting."

Update 11/24: Foxconn has apologized for a pay-related "technical error" when hiring new recruits at its iPhone factory in China. "We apologize for an input error in the computer system and guarantee that the actual pay is the same as agreed and the official recruitment posters."

The company is communicating with employees still engaged in smaller protests, a Foxconn source familiar with the matter told Reuters on Thursday. Apple said it had staff at the factory and was "working closely with Foxconn to ensure their employees' concerns are addressed."

Article Link: Angry Protests Break Out at Key iPhone Factory in China [Updated]

 

[kstotlani]

I am waiting for two of these blood iPhones to be shipped. Do your work and get them to me faster (sarcasm)

It must be so difficult for people on the ground working in these factories. I hope apple can sort these things out as it's their reputation on the line.

 

[WiiDSmoker]

Enough is enough. Apple needs to put their money where their mouth is and perform like they care about human rights and privacy, not just in some cute little ad or one liner.

 

[sorgo †]

Hopefully this is an end to a somewhat bleak year and not a sign of what's to come in 2023 and beyond. At least Apple is working to diversify its supply chain.

 

[ILoveCalvinCool]

They suffer so we can have our smartphones.

 

[meaning-matters]

Exploitation for profit.

 

[Jarman74]

These workers will likely bring about changes because they are just damn angry about the whole situation. They are thumping the tub, threatening and making noise about it, but if they just were silent and thought "Well, gradually wisdom will come to those who are in this business and they will do right by us," that day would never come. Apple workers have a lot to be grateful for that these guys are as insistent as they are, but it's a block-by-block fight.

 

[JapanApple]

Its sad

 

[Heat_Fan89]

I read this story on ZeroHedge the other day and the protests appear to be justified. Living conditions are borderline inhuman. Lack of food and other basic necessities.

 

[h.gilbert]

Crazy. From the outside you'd think they care so much about justice and human rights; supporting BLM, LGBTQ, AIDS, the environment etc...

 

[Le0M]

Isn't it illegal to protest in that country?

 

[DelayedGratificationGene]

There are 100 people in a situation. 99 say everything is fine but 1 person says it’s bad. Now who do you think the media is going to interview and report on?

 

[realeric]

Apple need to stop feeding the world richest country, China, having piles of cash, and bring it to somewhere else such as India, Vietnam, or even USA that is the world poorest country… having tens of trillions of debt.

 

[Luis Ortega]

Hopefully this is an end to a somewhat bleak year and not a sign of what's to come in 2023 and beyond. At least Apple is working to diversify its supply chain.

Lol…starting another sweatshop in India is not the solution.

 

[Bustycat]

They will be disappeared soon.

 

[contacos]

Modern slavery at work. Yes, they "may" get paid but under which conditions is another story.

However, for there to be real change, the privileged "west" (myself included) needs to change

 

[JoshNori]

This is really sad. We have to stop letting corporations screw us and reap all of the profits because it’s these poor people who pay the price for it. Apple is a nasty company for doing things this way while they post record profits and yank out millions upon millions per executive. They’re all about their fake diversity BS with their all white old man board of directors.

Does this look like “diversity” to you?

Apple Leadership

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www.apple.com

I mostly don’t care, but I get sick of their patronizing “Black Unity” trash when all they do is violate people left and right so they can pull the same maneuvers every other rich corporate bloodsucker does.

I may very well forego this year’s purchase over this. America needs to stop this before the tables turn and we’re all eating microchips for dinner. We’d well deserve it at this point.

 

[Lucas Curious]

Get back to work. We are expecting a usb-c iPhone for 2023. I understand that you didn’t get your food or bonus but we got bigger problems here with unecessary cables dangling off my desk.

 

[Heat_Fan89]

There are 100 people in a situation. 99 say everything is fine but 1 person says it’s bad. Now who do you think the media is going to interview and report on?

Great point!

Back to work ye Slaves. We’ve treated you too good. Furthermore, the beatings will continue until morale improves.

 

[supernova82]

Riots broke out on Wednesday at the world's largest iPhone factory in the Chinese city of Zhengzhou, according to video shared on social media.

Footage widely circulated online shows hundreds of Foxconn workers marching in protest, clashing with police and some being confronted by people in hazmat suits.

Some video captured workers complaining about the food they had been provided, with others protesting that they had not been paid bonuses as promised.

The Zhengzhou plant is Foxconn's biggest iPhone factory with around 200,000 workers. Foxconn is responsible for assembling around 70 percent of the iPhones that Apple sells, and it has been struggling to keep employees on site due to COVID lockdowns.

China's zero-COVID policy requires cities to quickly quell outbreaks through restrictions, and with COVID spreading in Zhengzhou, workers have wanted to return home to avoid being stuck at the factory should there be a more stringent lockdown.

Workers have also been unhappy with restrictions at the factory, such as the closure of the dine-in cafeteria, and a shortage of supplies that caused a panic.

Employee issues at the Zhengzhou plant could cause ‌iPhone‌ output to fall as much as 30 percent. Foxconn has attempted to mitigate the supply issues by offering bonuses and ramping up production at another factory in Shenzhen, but workers at the Zhengzhou plant have accused Foxconn of not living up to contract agreements.

"They changed the contract so that we could not get the subsidy as they had promised. They quarantine us but don't provide food," said one Foxconn worker on video shared online. "If they do not address our needs, we will keep fighting."

Article Link: Angry Protests Break Out at Key iPhone Factory in China

Not many people will complain about these worker's conditions because they are benefitting directly from cheap electronics. It's not like Qatar where its easy to complain about migrant workers conditions 😀

 

[wanha]

There are 100 people in a situation. 99 say everything is fine but 1 person says it’s bad. Now who do you think the media is going to interview and report on?

Curious to know your sources for these numbers

 

[wanha]

I may be wrong here, but I read this as more of a China specific issue - namely, due to COVID lockdowns, the conditions and rights the workers were used to are no longer being met, which is what is causing the protests and outrage.

Everything in the article points to this being a China issue as opposed to an Apple issue - clashing with police, hazmat suits, and closed dining areas.

The fact that it's happening at an iPhone factory is like pouring gasoline on a fire from a media perspective.

If I am wrong and this is an Apple caused issue, I am open to being educated. But please, be polite and bring facts.

 

[iPadPublisher]

It really bothers me that Apple still doesn’t have a grip on this. These workers deserve better and its high time Apple step up and do (actually) something about it. They can invent all this incredible technology - but they can’t fire a business partner who treats humans like dogs? Psh.

 

[cardfan]

They suffer so we can have our smartphones.

Yep. Apparently not enough. Apple needs to go over there and straighten them out. Lol.

 

[cardfan]

Crazy. From the outside you'd think they care so much about justice and human rights; supporting BLM, LGBTQ, AIDS, the environment etc...

Yep there’s many nut jobs, I mean politicians, like this.