Foxconn has won support from mainland authorities for its claim that the spate of suicides among its workers is more of a social problem than a reflection of conditions at its factories. But the parents of those who have jumped to their deaths insist the company cannot hide from absolute responsibility.
'If there were also frequent suicides at other factories, then it's a social problem and not Foxconn's fault. But look at what's happened in the past few months, how can Foxconn not bear the blame?' said Liang Xiande , the uncle of 21-year-old Liang Chao , who died after jumping from the seventh floor of a dormitory at the company's Longhua plant in Shenzhen on May 14.
'I keep watching the development of the issue and feel so sorry to hear that more young people have followed my nephew and committed suicide,' Liang said. 'We are not alone and we will visit Foxconn again next week to see how they can explain and compensate us for our loss.'
Liang Chao was the seventh Foxconn worker to leap to his death in Shenzhen this year. Three more have done so since.
The family went to Shenzhen on May 15 and had days of talks with Foxconn about compensation. They returned home to Qingtian, in Anhui province, on May 21, with Liang Chao's ashes.
Liang Xiande said no compensation deal had been reached but family members, especially Liang Chao's parents, were too sad to stay in Shenzhen. 'We just wanted to bring him home as soon as possible,' he said.
