
Watchdog slams conditions in China factory that makes Amazon Kindles
Foxconn says it is looking into allegations of rights violations in Hunan plant

The factory is accused of relying heavily on so-called dispatch workers -- those who are employed through agencies rather than by Foxconn itself. While factories are required by Chinese laws to limit dispatch workers to 10% of the staff, the Foxconn plant had 40%.
Dispatch workers, who are paid 14.5 yuan (US$2.26) an hour, don’t get paid extra for overtime and aren’t entitled to paid sick leave. They also go through the same long hours as regular employees.
iPhone maker Foxconn wants to get into smart homes
An undercover investigator sent by China Labor Watch said she was expected to clean 1,400 Echo Dot speakers during an 11-hour overnight shift, using a toothbrush dipped in rubbing alcohol to wipe off dust.
Another day, she spoke with a 45-year-old woman who complained that her hand was growing numb because of the repeated brushing. She said her body was so sore, her “back and arms could barely take it anymore”.

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For more insights into China tech, sign up for our tech newsletters, subscribe to our Inside China Tech podcast, and download the comprehensive 2019 China Internet Report. Also roam China Tech City, an award-winning interactive digital map at our sister site Abacus.
