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Apple Probes Labor-Abuse Claims at Foxconn’s Zhengzhou iPhone Hub

Foxconn disputes the claims, citing audits, with scrutiny centered on dispatch hiring, overtime, wage withholding, forced night shifts.

Overview

  • China Labor Watch alleges violations during the March–September iPhone 17 ramp, including intimidation, unsafe chemical exposure, discriminatory hiring, wage withholding, and coerced student night shifts.
  • The watchdog says temporary dispatch hires exceeded 50% of staff at a site employing roughly 150,000–200,000 workers, far above China’s ~10% legal cap.
  • Most workers reportedly logged 60–75 hours per week, exceeding Chinese law and Apple’s 60‑hour weekly limit.
  • Apple says its teams are on site and have begun an investigation, noting 1,514 supplier audits in 2024 and more than 74,000 employee interviews.
  • Foxconn rejects discrimination allegations and points to recent third‑party audits, as the report surfaces during Apple’s push to expand iPhone production in India.