Apple supplier Foxconn apologizes after workers protest over payment due at China plant

Beijing: Violent protests erupted at Foxconn’s largest iPhone plant in Zhengzhou city on Wednesday. Multiple posts shared on social media platforms show workers out on the road, protesting over pay and conditions at its China iPhone factory. With the situation turning worse, Foxconn has issued an official statement and apologized for the situation. The Apple supplier blamed a “technical error” for the situation.

Men smashed surveillance cameras and clashed with security personnel as hundreds of workers protested at the world’s biggest iPhone plant in Zhengzhou city on Wednesday, in rare scenes of open dissent in China sparked by claims of overdue pay and frustration over severe COVID-19 restrictions.

Workers said on videos circulated on social media that they had been informed that Foxconn intended to delay bonus payments. Some workers also complained they were forced to share dormitories with colleagues who had tested positive for COVID.

“Our team has been looking into the matter and discovered a technical error occurred during the onboarding process,” Foxconn said in a statement, referring to the hiring of new workers.

Sources familiar with the situation at the Foxconn plant revealed that protests have subsided and the company is communicating with workers. It is also said that operations continued after “initial agreements” were made between Foxconn and the workers to settle the dispute. The dispute at the plant didn’t impact production.

Apple, recently, confirmed delay in iPhone 14 Pro models shipment. The company said that the “COVID-19 restrictions have temporarily impacted the primary iPhone 14 Pro and iPhone 14 Pro Max assembly facility located in Zhengzhou, China.” “The facility is currently operating at significantly reduced capacity. As we have done throughout the COVID-19 pandemic, we are prioritizing the health and safety of the workers in our supply chain.”

“We continue to see strong demand for iPhone 14 Pro and iPhone 14 Pro Max models. However, we now expect lower iPhone 14 Pro and iPhone 14 Pro Max shipments than we previously anticipated and customers will experience longer wait times to receive their new products,” Apple said in an official statement. The company said it is working closely with suppliers to return to “normal production levels while ensuring the health and safety of every worker.”