Apple Puts Foxconn Factory in India on Probation Following Protests

[MacRumors]

Apple has put Foxconn's factory near Chennai in southern India on probation following worker protests and the discovery of substandard living conditions (via Bloomberg).

The factory in Sriperumbudur, which assembled iPhone 12 models prior to operations being suspended, has been shut down until "necessary improvements" are made. An Apple spokesperson told Bloomberg:

Following recent concerns about food safety and accommodation conditions at Foxconn Sriperumbudur, we dispatched independent auditors. We found that some of the remote dormitory accommodations and dining rooms being used for employees do not meet our requirements and we are working with the supplier to ensure a comprehensive set of corrective actions are rapidly implemented.

Earlier this month, Foxconn shut the factory after protests triggered by 150 employees being admitted to hospital with food poisoning. Apple now says that the Sriperumbudur facility will remain on probation until it is satisfied that its standards have been met sufficiently.

Foxconn apologized in a statement, commenting that it was "very sorry for the issue our employees experienced" and is "taking immediate steps to enhance the facilities and services we provide." The manufacturer plans to restructure its management team in India and will continue to pay all employees during the downtime.

A statement from the local government added that the improvements will include expansion of living areas, upgraded bathing facilities, and available drinking water. Foxconn did not specify when it plans to reopen the plant.

The Sriperumbudur probation is Apple's second suspension in India in a year. In December 2020, workers at a Wistron factory in India ransacked the facility over unpaid wages, leading Apple to put the factory on probation. Following improvements, the facility resumed production in March 2021.

Wistron's suspension delayed Apple's manufacturing push into India, where it pledged to invest $1 billion dollars while the company seeks to diversify its global supply chains. Apple was planning to begin production of the iPhone 13 at the Sriperumbudur factory in February, but the status of these plans is now unclear.

Article Link: Apple Puts Foxconn Factory in India on Probation Following Protests

 

[Havalo]

Translated: We are sorry that we’ve been exposed.

 

[MacLC]

For all of Apple's record setting profits, you'd think they could at least try to go the extra mile instead of cutting corners.

They've become the worst of both the pirates and the navy and make Microsoft from the 1980s and 1990s look almost benevolent by comparison.

 

[macdos]

So you thought it was just moving away from China and open up in India?

As if Indian infrastructure, logistics, know-how, educational system, work ethics, management, leader philosophy, quality assurance and so on are anywhere near those of China…

 

[EmotionalSnow]

For all of Apple's record setting profits, you'd think they could at least try to go the extra mile instead of cutting corners.

They've become the worst of both the pirates and the navy and make Microsoft from the 1980s and 1990s look almost benevolent by comparison.

You say that they could at least try. But that’s exactly what they are doing - read the article again.

 

[4743913]

Apple products need to be made in the USA.

Exploiting foreign workers should not be in their playbook even if they use intermediary companies like gloves.

 

[Aluminum213]

Apple needs to cover these up better

 

[justperry]

Translated: We are sorry that we’ve been exposed.

Seems like you don't know anything about India, if so, refrain from making silly comments.

 

[Canezmd]

So you thought it was just moving away from China and open up in India?

As if Indian infrastructure, logistics, know-how, educational system, work ethics, management, leader philosophy, quality assurance and so on are anywhere near those of China…

Right, cause conditions at Chinese factories are superb!!! Those uighur workers sure have a great life... Maybe the main difference is that Chinese workers just know better than to protest living or work conditions.

 

[Canezmd]

Apple products need to be made in the USA.

Exploiting foreign workers should not be in their playbook even if they use intermediary companies like gloves.

At the very least, they should be made in the large markets that they are sold... Make Chinese market products in China. Make US market products in the US. Make EU market products in the EU. Smaller markets can get products made in whatever the closes or cheapest large market is.

This is what all the auto manufacturers do. If they can do it for cars, I'm sure they can do it for cell phones.

 

[BootsWalking]

Tim Cook Slumdog Billionaire.

 

[IIGS User]

As someone who knows a little bit about probation, I find the whole "on probation" thing funny.

 

[PC_tech]

Apple products need to be made in the USA.

Exploiting foreign workers should not be in their playbook even if they use intermediary companies like gloves.

So they should exploit American workers now? ?

 

[neuropsychguy]

Apple products need to be made in the USA.

Exploiting foreign workers should not be in their playbook even if they use intermediary companies like gloves.

So a multinational company like Apple should make all products in the U.S. and stop supporting local economies?

 

[44267547]

Apple products need to be made in the USA.

They ‘Need’ to be made in the USA?

Nothing seemingly indicates that they need to be, but they could supplement more expansion into the USA, and not totally eliminate jobs that Apple has created globally.

 

[gnipgnop]

They ‘Need’ to be made in the USA?

Nothing seemingly indicates that they need to be, but they could supplement more expansion into the USA, and not totally eliminate jobs that Apple has created across the globe.

Apple doesn't create jobs. Consumers buying their products create jobs. No consumers = no jobs.

 

[44267547]

Apple doesn't create jobs.

Sure they do. The investment has to start somewhere with a roadmap, followed by the payback long-term.

 

[wanha]

Apple doesn't create jobs. Consumers buying their products create jobs. No consumers = no jobs.

OMG I wanna play this game too!

no products = no consumers

Your turn

 

[now i see it]

Just a reflection of the miserable life iPhone assemblers have. Think of that the next time you see a microscopic blemish in your new iPhone shell while complaining to the world about it.

 

[4743913]

Think of that the next time you see a microscopic blemish in your new iPhone shell while complaining to the world about it.

after their yearly upgrade..

 

[I7guy]

For all of Apple's record setting profits, you'd think they could at least try to go the extra mile instead of cutting corners.

What corners are they cutting?

They've become the worst of both the pirates and the navy and make Microsoft from the 1980s and 1990s look almost benevolent by comparison.

Only in your opinion.

 

[justperry]

I want to play this game too:

no products = no consumers

Your turn

What came first, chicken or the egg.

 

[Kevin2055]

Apple products need to be made in the USA.

Exploiting foreign workers should not be in their playbook even if they use intermediary companies like gloves.

You want iPhone to be $2000?

 

[macdos]

What came first, chicken or the egg.

Egg preceded chicken, by a few hundred million years. What's this got to do with the price of eggs anyway?

 

[TheYayAreaLiving 🎗️]

Hopefully this is temporary and it gets lifted soon.