iPhone Production Under Fire Amid Renewed Labor Allegations
Apple’s largest iPhone supplier, Foxconn, is once again facing criticism over working conditions in its Chinese factories. A new investigation by the labor rights group China Labor Watch (CLW) claims that employees at Foxconn’s massive Zhengzhou facility endure long hours, delayed wages, and systemic discrimination — despite Apple’s repeated promises to uphold ethical standards in its supply chain.
Apple has long argued that it requires suppliers to maintain fair labor practices, and in the past, it has even delayed contracts with partners over inadequate worker housing. Still, labor watchdogs say little has changed. CLW’s founder, Li Qiang, stated that Apple’s reliance on a “disposable workforce” continues to drive abuses.
Alleged Violations of Chinese Law
The report points to Foxconn’s use of “dispatch workers” — temporary seasonal staff that, by law, should make up no more than 10% of the workforce. At Zhengzhou, however, CLW claims the figure was over 50%. These workers often faced delayed pay schedules that discouraged them from leaving, while being excluded from basic benefits such as paid sick leave or medical insurance.
Discrimination was also flagged as a serious concern. According to sources, minority applicants had their submissions rejected through Foxconn’s hiring app, and pregnant women were either turned away or excluded by mandatory x-ray health checks that ran until September 2025.
Past Issues Resurface
CLW has a history of exposing unsafe practices across Apple’s supply chain. In 2018, for example, it reported that workers at Catcher Technology, a company producing iPhone casings, were denied protective gear despite being exposed to hazardous particles and loud noise levels. Some employees even skipped washing due to a lack of hot water and showers.
Apple responded at the time with audits, insisting it found no violations but acknowledging “our work is never done.” While conditions today may be marginally improved — with less overtime and no evidence of underage workers — the watchdog says core issues persist.
Mixed Accounts & Company Responses
Interviews conducted by the Financial Times suggest that while some staff confirmed CLW’s findings, others felt Foxconn’s environment was better than at rival factories.
Apple, in its latest statement, said teams were already “on site” to investigate and reaffirmed its commitment to the “highest standards of labor, human rights, and environmental responsibility.”
Foxconn, meanwhile, rejected the allegations, describing itself as an “equal opportunity employer” that has undergone independent audits to prove compliance.
Despite these assurances, labor concerns continue to shadow iPhone production, echoing previous unrest — including a mass worker riot at the Zhengzhou plant in 2022.
