Foxconn’s iPhone plant paralyzed as workers strike
The report of a 3000 to 4000 workers’ strike at Foxconn’s Zhengzhou complex in central China came weeks after Apple’s release of its new iPhone 5 smartphones. Although the report was issued by the New York- based advocacy group China Labor Watch, Foxconn denied the claims and stated that the plant only “suffered two brief and small disputes several days earlier.” There have always been repeatedly tensions between Foxconn and its workers. This time, the workers were angered by over-exacting quality controls as well as demands they work through the week-long National Day holiday. According to China’s official XinHua News, a strike erupted after some 100 quality inspectors at Foxconn refused to work for an hour after workers irate allegedly beat one over the inspection demands. The instruction to strengthen quality inspections was given by Apple itself to reduce costumers’ complaints of flaws in the new phone.
The workers were upset because the quality-control inspectors were rejecting their works due to increasing customer complaints from the West. The stricter inspection policy eventually led to many rejections, and slowly over time, the workers would be getting a lower income because on their “poor” performances. As a result, they erupted beat the inspectors who were rejecting their work. In return, the inspectors went on strike hoping to get protections from the workers’ beatings. The problem with China and Foxconn is that they are keeping their wages and currency too low. China should first improve the standard of its people, giving them education and elevating their living. Controversially from China’s perspective, it needs foreign companies to assemble their products there in order to leverage on their market size to create jobs for its people. Keeping the costs low is the main factor that is attracting international companies to China. Is it possible to find a balance between the two? Should Apple bring these manufacturing jobs back to the US? Is it ethical for Foxconn to suppress and overwork their workers to meet the demand of the West?
The Foxconn’s strike has clearly illustrated that China is going through a transition. The workers are demanding a higher income and a better working condition. China is no longer a paradise of cheap labor and poor working conditions.
http://www.reuters.com/article/2012/10/06/us-apple-foxconn-idUSBRE8941JF20121006