Apple Puts Foxconn Factory in India on Probation Following Protests

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).

iPhone 12 Made in India
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.

Tags: Foxconn, India

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Top Rated Comments

Havalo Avatar
44 months ago
Translated: We are sorry that we’ve been exposed.
Score: 30 Votes (Like | Disagree)
Canezmd Avatar
44 months ago

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.
Score: 26 Votes (Like | Disagree)
4743913 Avatar
44 months ago
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.
Score: 18 Votes (Like | Disagree)
wanha Avatar
44 months ago

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
Score: 18 Votes (Like | Disagree)
Canezmd Avatar
44 months ago

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.
Score: 17 Votes (Like | Disagree)
EmotionalSnow Avatar
44 months ago

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.
Score: 16 Votes (Like | Disagree)