Apple has placed Foxconn “on probation”. This is what we learned yesterday from several media, including the BBC. The Taiwanese group, an electronics giant established among others in China, India and more recently in Vietnam, is responsible in particular for the assembly of electronic devices for some big names in Tech. Among them, Apple, which relies on this subcontractor for the assembly of several iPhone models.
This disciplinary measure taken by Apple, comes as Foxconn is again accused of negligence towards its employees. On several occasions in recent years, the group has been the subject of complaints for the poor working conditions it offers its staff. This time, the brand is the subject of protests in India as a case of food poisoning affected 250 employees of the Indian factory of Foxconn, located in the south of the country. 150 of them were taken directly to hospital, says an Indian media quoted by the BBC. As reported TechCrunch, the case led to protests from workers over their poor food and accommodation conditions. 17,000 people work in the Foxconn factory located in the Indian state of Tamil Nadu.
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Contacted by TechCrunch a spokesperson for Foxconn indicated that an investigation had been carried out. ” Some offsite dorm facilities do not meet required standards “, Admitted the firm in particular through this spokesperson. ” We are truly sorry for the issue our employees are having and are taking immediate action to improve the facilities and services we provide in remote dormitories. “.
The Taiwanese giant, regularly questioned, also explains that it has restructured its local management team in order to ” ensuring that we can achieve and maintain the high standards that are necessary “. ” All employees will continue to be paid while we make the required improvements before resuming operations, and we will continue to provide support to our employees when they return to work. Foxconn added.
Apple, for its part, must once again crack down on its subcontractor. Beyond its probative measure, the Californian brand has notably assured TechCrunch to ensure that ” our strictest standards are met before the facility reopens “. ” We have found that some of the offsite dormitories and dining rooms, used by employees, do not meet our requirements and we are working with [Foxconn] to ensure the rapid implementation of a full set of corrective measures “, We continue at Apple.
Note that this is not the first time that the firm has placed one of its subcontractors on probation. Last year, it had used the same measure against Wistron, another key assembly partner, for poor working conditions offered to its employees and cases of unpaid wages. On its Indian site, Foxconn notably assembles the iPhone 12 on behalf of Apple. It is difficult at this stage to know if the supply will be impacted for this model. A model launched last year but still offered mid-range in the Apple catalog.