Apple iPhone 11 launch marred by claims Foxconn factory broke labour laws
- Companies confirm excessive use of temporary workers but deny bulk of report by China Labour Watch
One day before the launch of the iPhone 11, Apple and its Chinese supplier Foxconn have been accused of violating labour laws to produce the new model.
New York-based China Labour Watch (CLW) released a report on Monday detailing a string of alleged violations at Foxconn’s Zhengzhou factory, in the central province of Henan, mostly relating to the employment conditions of temporary workers.
According to the report, temporary workers – recruited through contracted agencies – now make up half or more of the workforce at the Zhengzhou facility, with workers putting in at least 100 overtime hours a month.
China’s labour laws stipulate that temporary workers “shall not exceed 10 per cent of the total workforce” and that “monthly overtime work hours shall not exceed 36 hours”.
The report also found temporary workers allegedly did not receive the same benefits as full-time employees, including paid sick leave, paid holidays and social insurance which provides medical, unemployment and pension coverage. Chinese labour regulations require temporary workers – who should not be recruited for primary roles – to be paid the same level of salary, insurance and other benefits as permanent staff.