Foxconn Workers Violently Protest for Delayed Bonus Payments in Zhengzhou Plant

A video footage has been circulating on different social media that shows Foxconn workers protesting 'violently' outside the Zhengzhou facility, as they were informed that the bonus payments will be delayed. As per the video, workers clashes with police by wielding batons and hazmat suits even if some of them are currently isolated because of COVID controls.

Protest in Zhengzhou Facility

Outside the Foxconn Technology Group's Zhengzhou facility, which is known as the biggest iPhone assembly plant, employees protest as they were informed that their bonus payments will be delayed.

According to a report from The Verge, the protest became violent when employees clashed with the police. Adding to this is that some of the workers who were protesting outside the facility are in isolation because of COVID.

These workers were isolated by the company in Zhengzhou, as they were forced to live and work on-site to prevent outbreaks in the city. As per Bloomberg's report, the employees were also protesting because of limited food and supplies in the dormitory.

Some of them resorted to milk, bread, and instant noodles from supply points. The violent protest was captured in a video that shows workers chanting "Give us our pay!" and "Defend our rights!" as they were surrounded by riot police in hazmat suits and wielding batons.

In an interview with BBC, a Foxconn worker stated, "They changed the contract so that we could not get the subsidy as they had promised. They quarantine us but don't provide food. If they do not address our needs, we will keep fighting."

He also revealed that he had seen a man "severely injured" after beating by the police. A new recruit also stated that Foxconn did not much exert effort to make the situation better in the facility, despite the violence and clash that happened.

Foxconn's Response

Foxconn confirmed through The Wall Street Journal that there is an ongoing protest regarding the concerns about delaying their pay. As per the company, they have been honoring its contractual obligations regarding the payments and will be trying to have better communication with its workers and the authorities for this to prevent in the future.

Apple did not also give any comments regarding the matter. Last month, Apple informed the public that iPhone 14 Pro and Pro Max models will be delayed as the COVID-19 cases in the facility have been rising rapidly. Because of this, the company has also been planning to increase its production outside Chine to reduce reliance on the country when it comes to production.

This article is owned by TechTimes

Written by Inno Flores