Due to the continued fatalities at iPhone maker Foxconn, which we have reported about quite recently (here) and (here) for example; on Wednesday, Apple has stated they are independently investigating Foxconn’s steps to address the spate of suicides at their plant in Shenzhen.
According to an article by Charmian Kok on the Wall Street Journal, in an emailed statement, Apple said…”We are saddened and upset by the recent suicides at Foxconn. Apple is deeply committed to ensuring that conditions throughout our supply chain are safe and workers are treated with respect and dignity. We are in direct contact with Foxconn senior management and we believe they are taking this matter very seriously.”
Apparently there has been some criticism and discussion in the media in China due to the spate of deaths, relating to the conditions for Foxconn workers. Foxconn is the trade name of Hon Hai Precision Industry Co and assembles iPhone and Macbook’s for Apple.
Hon Hai, the world’s largest contract electronics maker by revenue has apparently launched several anti-suicide measures which include establishing a “Foxconn Employee Care Centre”, counsellors and academic experts to talk with employees, the setting up of a suicide hotline, and inviting Buddhist monks to the Foxconn plant.