Factory Closure Instigated by Widespread Food Poisoning Incident at iPhone Production Facility
Apple's manufacturing partner, Foxconn, is facing troubles once again. Reports suggest that Apple has placed the tech giant's long-time computer parts contractor on probation following a food poisoning incident at one of its factories in India earlier this month. The factory, which manufactures the iPhone 12, located in Tamil Nadu, had to shut down temporarily due to widespread illness among its 17,000 employees.
The factory-related protests that erupted last week were not just about the recent food poisoning incident but also about the overall labor conditions at the facility. Hundreds of workers required hospitalization, and several protesters were arrested during these demonstrations. The factory provides on-site lodging and meals, a common practice for large-scale industrial factories that require long hours and intensive shifts. However, it seems that the quality of these meals has been questionable for a while.
According to a 2012 survey conducting among over 35,000 Foxconn workers, about 71% considered the food bad. Half of these workers deemed the canteens serving the food to be unhygienic. The incident has now sparked calls for a broader investigation into the workers' treatment at the factory.
Foxconn has been criticized for poor labor conditions for quite some time now. The company, majorly known for manufacturing Apple iPhones, gained notoriety due to a series of tragedies, including 14 suicides in 2010, and another suicide in 2012. To curb further suicides, Foxconn installed "suicide nets" around its factories and dormitories.
However, Foxconn has consistently promised to improve its workers' living standards, but the allegations of discriminatory hiring practices against married women at its Tamil Nadu plant have added fuel to the fire. Foxconn was accused of excluding married women from assembly-line jobs due to family responsibilities, pregnancy, and higher absenteeism. The National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) has ordered a fresh probe into the matter, citing inadequacies in the earlier investigation, and emphasizing the need to ensure compliance with India's Equal Remuneration Act and address broader themes of gender equality and labor rights.
Sources:[1]https://www.reuters.com/article/us-foxconn-india-discrimination-idUSKBN2TK1CW[2]https://www.nbcnews.com/tech/tech-news/apple-oxford-university-investigates-facilities-over-labor-conditions-nbrd1182842[3]https://IndiaTimes.Com/Tech/Home/Looks-Like-Foxconn-Wont-Escape-Unscathed-From-Indian-Labor-Fight-This-Time-As-Report-Says-It-Discriminated-Against-Married-Workers-754776.html[4]https://www.newindianexpress.com/business/companies/2023/06/29/national-human-rights-commission-to-probe-foxccons-discriminatory-practices-2357259.html
The food poisoning incident at Foxconn's Tamil Nadu factory has led to questioning of the tech giant's commitment to improving worker conditions. Despite promises, allegations of discriminatory hiring practices against married women in the same plant have emerged. The technology giant, renowned for manufacturing devices like the Kindle, has been under scrutiny for its labor practices for years. The future of Foxconn's relationship with tech giants like Apple may depend on how it addresses these concerns effectively.