Report claims Chinese students 'forced' to intern at 'iPhone 5' factory
University students from Huai'an in Jiangsu Province were alleged to have been driven to a Foxconn factory after it couldn't find enough workers for production of the "iPhone 5," a report published Thursday by Shanghai Daily claims. It cites an anonymous online post from a computing student at the Hauiyin Institute of Technology that was corroborated by "several other students from at least five colleges."
The students indicated they are being "forced" to work 12 hours a day, six days a week, and receive $243.97 U.S. per month in return for their work. The students say the work is part of an internship that allows students to "experience working conditions and promote individual ability."
Local schools are alleged to have suspended routine classes at the beginning of the semester to allow students time away for the internships. One student said studies have been "seriously disrupted" by the internships at Foxconn.
The report also quoted an unnamed official who said it was "common practice" for local universities to send students to renowned companies and factories to expand their horizons. The students are "encouraged to go to factories to learn more about society," they said.
Foxconn workers as captured by Steve Jurvetson, via Wikipedia.
But a local lawyer, Wu Dong, believes the internships violate labor and education laws. He believes Foxconn and the schools could be sued over the situation.
Thursday's report is the latest in a long history of negative details from Apple's supply chain in the Far East. Foxconn, in particular, has been subject to scrutiny, prompting Apple to commission third-party audits of its facilities by the Fair Labor Association.
This week, it was suggested that Apple is likely privately subsidizing wage increases for workers at Foxconn. For years, critics have referred to Foxconn as a "sweatshop" where employees work long hours for little pay.
49 Comments
Of course they couldn't let the Samsung story stand without being topped.
Sounds like purest BS to me. The internship thingie is common and a good thing, but the 12 hour days and the wages are just "drama" methinks.
Does this come from the same source that said Steve Jobs was trying to smuggle throwing stars onto a plane? lol
Believable? If true, we will likely see the results with very poor quality of the iPhone 5. "Forced" labor does not result in quality product.
If it is true, I would expect Apple to intervene. Whatever you believe about Apple's view of labor conditions, you can be sure the bottom line of quality will drive them to ensure no "forced" labor.
A 'report". By whom?. Seems that these negarive 'reports' appear each time Apple stock hits a new high.
An attempt to discredit the company and drive prices down?
Posting such 'reports' on line doesn't make them true.
Shame on you, Appleinsider