Workers at Foxconn, the world's largest iPhone plant, are fleeing en masse because of inhumane working conditions and strict COVID restrictions - the threat of a 30% reduction in smartphone production
Workers at Foxconn's Zhengzhou plant, the world's largest iPhone manufacturing facility, are leaving their jobs and fleeing.
Here's What We Know
According to Business Insider, the reason for this behavior is inhumane working conditions at the factory, which were recently added to the severe restrictions amid another outbreak of COVID-19. The factory employs more than 200,000 people.
Workers have broken out of #Apple'slargest assembly site, escaping the Zero #Covid lockdown at Foxconn in #Zhengzhou. After sneaking out, they're walking to home towns more than 100 kilometers away to beat the Covid app measures designed to control people and stop this. #China pic.twitter.com/NHjOjclAyU
- Stephen McDonell (@StephenMcDonell) October 30, 2022
Even though it has been more than two and a half years since the first quarantine due to COVID-19 in China, the country still has a zero tolerance policy for the coronavirus. In case of the slightest outbreak, authorities impose a widespread quarantine and begin mass testing of the population.
The Zhengzhou plant was also subject to quarantine measures. This led to a sharp drop in the quality of life of its workers. Foxconn has shut down staff at the plant without the possibility of returning home. And only those who work directly on the line are entitled to normal meals. The rest receive a basic set of bread and instant noodles.
Hundreds of Foxconn employees are believed to have fled the factory in China's central province of Henan. It comes after workers raised concerns about insufficient medical care and under-reported COVID infections put them at high risk.pic.twitter.com/8XBZa4eGc3
- Bang Xiao 萧邦 (@BangXiao_) October 30, 2022
Foxconn says the situation is under control and all necessary supplies are provided. However, video clips have begun to appear on the Internet, which show workers with their belongings climb over the fence and run away from the company.
Media reports suggest that Foxconn is intentionally hiding the real situation and the situation with staff outflow. Previously we wrote that because of the new COVID restrictions iPhone shipments to the plant in Zhengzhou could go down by 30% by the end of the year. Business Insider journalists asked Apple for a comment, but the American company has not yet responded.
Source: Business Insider
