Apple has announced that production has restarted at assembly partner Wistron's Narasapura, India facility after December riots shut it down — but the company is still under probation.
Statistics from research firms Counterpoint and CyberMedia point to a year-on-year doubling of Apple's iPhone business in India for the fourth quarter of 2020, though the figure sits at a comparatively paltry 1.5 million units.
Apple supplier Pegatron has leased half a million square feet near Chennai, India as part of its plan to establish iPhone manufacturing operations in the region.
Recent upheaval at a Wistron manufacturing plant in India could delay Apple's production plans in the country, though the situation is unlikely to affect an iPhone 12 ramp, analysts from Piper Sandler claim.
Not only will Apple likely be forced to share results of its investigations on what caused the riots at Wistron, but it may also be held at least partially liable for the damages and labor violations, according to India law.
As Wistron removes a vice president in charge of India amid its wage-related worker riot, Apple has put the assembly partner on probation until it can rectify the situation.
A report from the Karnataka state authorities found that Wistron's Narasapura production plant in India exploited its workers, noting wage underpayment, poor working conditions, and irregular hours.
A prominent Indian trade union has spoken out against the Indian government for its lack of action against iPhone assembly partner Wistron after a violent riot broke out following a protest.
Despite earlier claims alleging $56 million in damage, Wistron asserts it only suffered between $3.5 million and $7 million in damages after riots broke out over claims that workers were not being paid properly.
Apple is investigating whether the riot was caused by its Taiwanese iPhone assembler Wistron breaking guidelines over staff pay and working conditions.
Employees in an iPhone production facility in India became violent on Saturday, over claims workers are not being paid what they were allegedly promised by Apple assembly partner Wistron.
Apple assembly partner Pegatron's board may have given the all-clear to invest $150 million into its first production facilities in India, an operation that could be used for iPhone production in late 2021.
Main iPhone supplier Foxconn says that it will continue to invest in the United States as it sees continued demand for the iPhone 12 in the holiday quarter.
The iPhone 12 and iPhone 12 Pro presales have done well in India, thanks to authorized resellers offering monthly payment options and robust trade-in offers.
Customers buying an iPhone 11 from Apple's online store in India as part of the Diwali holiday shopping period will get an added bonus, in the form of a free pair of AirPods.
The White House been placing increasing pressure on companies to cut ties with China as part of the trade war between the two countries, and key Apple suppliers are being caught in the middle.
The Indian government on Tuesday said it was going to approve incentives to 16 companies, including a trio of top Apple suppliers, under a new plan to boost domestic smartphone production.
A trio of Apple's most prominent supply chain partners reportedly plan to invest $900 million in India to leverage local production incentives and increase the production of iPhones in the country.
As planned, Apple on Wednesday opened the virtual doors to its Apple Store online in India, marking a retail first for the tech titan.
Apple on Thursday announced a major expansion to its India operations, saying it will open online sales in the country on Sept. 23.
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Will Shanklin
Mikey Campbell
Mike Peterson
William Gallagher
Malcolm Owen
Amber Neely
Wesley Hilliard
AppleInsider Staff
