Engadget http://www.engadget.com Engadget http://www.blogsmithmedia.com/www.engadget.com/media/feedlogo.gif Engadget http://www.engadget.com en-us Copyright 2012 Weblogs, Inc. The contents of this feed are available for non-commercial use only. Blogsmith http://www.blogsmith.com/<![CDATA[Chinese government to make Foxconn suicide findings public]]>http://www.engadget.com/2010/06/15/chinese-government-to-make-foxconn-suicide-findings-public/http://www.engadget.com/2010/06/15/chinese-government-to-make-foxconn-suicide-findings-public/http://www.engadget.com/2010/06/15/chinese-government-to-make-foxconn-suicide-findings-public/#comments
We've been struggling to wrap our heads 'round this whole Foxconn imbroglio since the beginning, and while we're pretty skeptical about any official reports we'd be remiss if we didn't mention that the Human Resources and Social Security Ministry in China was looking into the thing, and that they'll be releasing the findings somewhat soonish. According to Vice Minister Zhang Xiaojian, recent strikes at various factories including Brother and Honda (strikes seemingly sparked by the Foxconn incidents) do not constitute "a 'wave' of unrest." Well, that's good -- for business owners, at least. And while the families of the Foxconn suicides maintain that long hours, low pay, and harsh management are to be blamed, Zhang added that "the psychological problems of the workers" can be added to the list. Psychological problems caused by low pay, long hours, and harsh management, perhaps?

[Thanks, Xinh]

Chinese government to make Foxconn suicide findings public originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 15 Jun 2010 02:42:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>chinacostfactoryfoxconnhon haihon hai precisionHonHaiHonHaiPrecisionHuman Resources and Social Security MinistryHumanResourcesAndSocialSecurityMinistrymanufacturingsalaryshenzhensuicidesuicidestaiwanterry gouTerryGouwagewelfareworking conditionsWorkingConditionsZhang XiaojianZhangXiaojianTue, 15 Jun 2010 02:42:00 EST<![CDATA[Foxconn axes suicide compensation, relocating some production to Vietnam or Taiwan]]>http://www.engadget.com/2010/06/09/foxconn-axes-suicide-compensation-relocating-some-production-to/http://www.engadget.com/2010/06/09/foxconn-axes-suicide-compensation-relocating-some-production-to/http://www.engadget.com/2010/06/09/foxconn-axes-suicide-compensation-relocating-some-production-to/#comments At yesterday's annual shareholder meeting, Foxconn revealed that it'll no longer be compensating families of dead employees as a move to discourage further suicides. CEO Terry Gou reasoned by exhibiting evidence that showed the money -- an amount almost equivalent to ten years' worth of salary -- was a major motivation for the suicides. One such exhibit was a man's suicide letter that contained the following message for his parents:
"...now I'm going to jump off Foxconn, really leaving now, but you don't have to be sad, because Foxconn will pay a bit of money, this is all your son can repay you now."
Gou also blamed a possible "Werther Effect" created by the news coverage, which might have led to six of the twelve suicides all taking place in May. Consequently, the company will be handing over its welfare management work to the local Chinese government, as it's unable to deal with too many social responsibilities.

In the same meeting, the company made an unsurprising announcement that it's looking to relocate some manufacturing work, amid a worsened earnings forecast due to increased wages -- basic salary has gone up from ¥900 ($132) to ¥1,200 ($176), rising to as much as ¥2,000 ($293) for those who meet new performance criteria. This will involve setting up a fully automated facility in either Taiwan or Vietnam, while the existing Vietnamese plant will be receiving more orders. Chairman Samuel Chen also said that Foxconn will be working with its clients to share the load -- no further details on this, but we suspect Apple's rumored direct subsidies are part of the plan.

Foxconn axes suicide compensation, relocating some production to Vietnam or Taiwan originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 09 Jun 2010 04:28:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>chinacopycat suicideCopycatSuicidecostfactoryfoxconnhon haihon hai precisionHonHaiHonHaiPrecisionmanufacturingpaypay risePayRiserelocationrestructuringsalaryshenzhensuicidesuicidestaiwanterry gouTerryGouvietnamwagewelfareWerther EffectWertherEffectworking conditionsWorkingConditionsWed, 09 Jun 2010 04:28:00 EST<![CDATA[Foxconn increases wages by 30 percent as deaths continue to mount]]>http://www.engadget.com/2010/06/02/foxconn-increases-wages-by-30-percent-as-deaths-continue-to-moun/http://www.engadget.com/2010/06/02/foxconn-increases-wages-by-30-percent-as-deaths-continue-to-moun/http://www.engadget.com/2010/06/02/foxconn-increases-wages-by-30-percent-as-deaths-continue-to-moun/#comments According to Reuters, Foxconn will be raising worker wages an additional 10% from the original 20% raise announced last week. Foxconn spokesman, Arthur Huang, said that the 30% base wage increase takes effect immediately. Foxconn admits that it hopes to earn the respect of its workers and raise efficiency with the pay increase while offsetting rising costs on the Chinese mainland. The company's shares fell by 2% following the announcement (in a market down just 0.4%, relatively), worried perhaps that the raise would erode operating profits. All this comes as more Foxconn deaths -- now at 12 -- are being reported. Family of Yan Li, a Foxconn engineer, claims that their son died of exhaustion after working non-stop for 34-hours, then returning for another 12-hours after a 10-hour break. Police have already ruled out suicide and homicide in the case. Nevertheless, Yan Li's family is demanding 250,000 yuan (about 25 times the worker's annual base salary) in compensation. Foxconn accepts no responsibility in the matter saying it would only pay out "humanitarian terms" to the family.

Foxconn increases wages by 30 percent as deaths continue to mount originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 02 Jun 2010 02:04:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>chinafoxconnhon haihon hai precisionHonHaiHonHaiPrecisionovertimepaysalarysuicidewagesWed, 02 Jun 2010 02:04:00 EST<![CDATA[Top Chinese official calls for improved worker conditions in response to Foxconn deaths]]>http://www.engadget.com/2010/05/30/top-chinese-official-calls-for-improved-worker-conditions-in-res/http://www.engadget.com/2010/05/30/top-chinese-official-calls-for-improved-worker-conditions-in-res/http://www.engadget.com/2010/05/30/top-chinese-official-calls-for-improved-worker-conditions-in-res/#comments
 The highest ranking official in the Guangdong province of China has called for improved conditions for workers in light of the recent slew of suicides at Hon Hai Precision Manufacturing, also known as Foxconn. Wang Yang, the provincial party secretary in the province where the suicides have taken place, said that the government must work together with the company to "take effective measures to prevent similar tragedies from happening again," While it's still not clear what is causing the deaths, Wang called for measures such as increasing sports and leisure activities for the workers, and improving communication between worker and employer. "Labor unions in private firms should be improved to facilitate better working conditions and more harmonious relations between workers and employers," he said, speaking at a conference in Shenzhen on Saturday, just about one day after Foxconn announced it would increase wages of workers up to 20 percent.

Top Chinese official calls for improved worker conditions in response to Foxconn deaths originally appeared on Engadget on Sun, 30 May 2010 14:47:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>chinafoxconnhon haihon hai precisionHonHaiHonHaiPrecisionshenzhensuicidesuicideswangSun, 30 May 2010 14:47:00 EST<![CDATA[Foxconn raising wages, relocating 20 percent of Shenzhen workers closer to home (updated)]]>http://www.engadget.com/2010/05/28/foxconn-raising-wages-by-about-20-percent-as-previously-planned/http://www.engadget.com/2010/05/28/foxconn-raising-wages-by-about-20-percent-as-previously-planned/http://www.engadget.com/2010/05/28/foxconn-raising-wages-by-about-20-percent-as-previously-planned/#comments After a string of highly localized suicides at Foxconn's manufacturing campus captured the world's attention -- again -- the company has decided to increase worker wages by about 20 percent. Foxconn says that the pay raise had been planned for some time but did not say when it would be implemented. Mind you, a 20% bump in the third quarter is not unusual as Foxconn ramps up production for the holidays. In fact, Foxconn has given raises by as much as 50% in the past according to Vincent Chen, analyst at Yuanta Securities in Taipei. At the moment, Foxconn entry-level line workers are paid 900 yuan (about $131.80) per month -- remuneration that exceeds the local minimum wage in the area. And that's before bonuses and that oh-so tempting overtime pay are factored in. It's also worth noting that Foxconn is said by a factory worker surnamed Wang, to pay 100,000 yuan (about 10 times a worker's annual base salary) to families of suicide victims -- a sum he says has tempted some to their death.

Update: CEO Terry Guo is being quoted as saying that Foxconn plans to relocate some facilities and about a fifth of its Shenzhen workforce (that's about 80,000 people based on the 400k estimates tossed around) to western parts of China so that the workers can be closer to their families. Meanwhile, Sony, Nokia, and Nintendo, all Foxconn customers, have joined Apple, Dell, and HP in expressing their public concern over the working conditions in Foxconn.

Foxconn raising wages, relocating 20 percent of Shenzhen workers closer to home (updated) originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 28 May 2010 06:34:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>bonuschinafoxconnhon haihon hai precisionHonHaiHonHaiPrecisionminimum wagesMinimumWagesnokiapayrelocationsalarysonysuicideTerry GuoTerryGuowagesFri, 28 May 2010 06:34:00 EST<![CDATA[Another Foxconn employee commits suicide]]>http://www.engadget.com/2010/05/26/another-foxconn-employee-commits-suicide/http://www.engadget.com/2010/05/26/another-foxconn-employee-commits-suicide/http://www.engadget.com/2010/05/26/another-foxconn-employee-commits-suicide/#comments
Another Foxconn employee has committed suicide within the last few hours, several Chinese news sources are reporting. So far, we know that the employee was male, and that he died at the Longhua factory but no other details have been made available as of yet. This latest death comes just hours after the news that Foxconn employees were very recently asked to sign a letter saying that the company would pay no more than legal minimum wage for "injuries sustained outside the workplace." The letter, which was made public early this morning, caused Chairman of Hon Hai to say they were "taking it back" as the language was inappropriate. Foxconn, AKA Hon Hai Precision -- a massive Taiwan-based company with huge factories in China -- is responsible for manufacturing electronics for several major US companies, namely Apple, Dell, and HP. All three released statements about the state of affairs earlier today that essentially boil down to "we're looking into it."

[Thanks, MakeChoice]

Another Foxconn employee commits suicide originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 26 May 2010 15:47:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>applechinafoxconnhon haihon hai precisionHonHaiHonHaiPrecisionhuman rightsHumanRightssuicideWed, 26 May 2010 15:47:00 EST<![CDATA[Apple, Dell, and HP comment on suicides as Foxconn CEO shows off the pool]]>http://www.engadget.com/2010/05/26/apple-and-dell-comment-as-foxconn-ceo-shows-off-the-pool/http://www.engadget.com/2010/05/26/apple-and-dell-comment-as-foxconn-ceo-shows-off-the-pool/http://www.engadget.com/2010/05/26/apple-and-dell-comment-as-foxconn-ceo-shows-off-the-pool/#comments On an 84-degree day (29 C) at a Chinese factory housing some 400,000 workers, at least 2 of them were enjoying the Foxconn swimming pool. We know this because the notoriously secretive Foxconn CEO, Terry Gou, was showing off some of the workers' facilities to the press to assure the world that he was not operating a sweatshop. Foxconn has received a great deal of attention lately after a rash of suicide attempts this year left 2 workers seriously injured and 9 people dead. While these numbers are relatively low compared to World Health Organization data showing a suicide rate of about 14 deaths per 100,000 Chinese, Foxconn contends that there were only one or two suicides a year previously at its Shenzhen factories. Today Gou announced that Foxconn has 70 psychiatrists and 100 voluntary workers trained to help prevent suicide. Great, problem solved.

As you probably know, Foxconn is behind the assembly of many major consumer electronics brands including HP, Nokia, Dell, and Apple -- the latter two have come out with statements expressing their respective concern. Apple had this to say:
"We are saddened and upset by the recent suicides at Foxconn. We're in direct contact with Foxconn senior management and we believe they are taking this matter very seriously. A team from Apple is independently evaluating the steps they are taking to address these tragic events and we will continue our ongoing inspections of the facilities where our products are made."
And Dell this:
"We expect our suppliers to employ the same high standards we do in our own facilities. We enforce these standards through a variety of tools, including the Electronics Industry code of conduct, business reviews with suppliers, self-assessments and audits."
During today's press event, Tang Wenying, a young Foxconn line supervisor said, "This is a good place to work because they treat us better than many (other) Chinese factories." And that may be the most worrisome aspect of this: Foxconn, by all accounts, provides some of the best conditions for the Chinese workers it employs. What does that say about the anonymous (and thus, invisible) chain of small suppliers and secondary assembly facilities nobody reads about?

Update: HP says that it is also investigating "the Foxconn practices that may be associated with these tragic events."

Apple, Dell, and HP comment on suicides as Foxconn CEO shows off the pool originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 26 May 2010 06:43:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>appleassemblychinadeathdellfoxconnhon haihon hai precisionHonHaiHonHaiPrecisionhpnokiapoolShenzhensuicideswimming poolSwimmingPoolterry gouTerryGouWed, 26 May 2010 06:43:00 EST<![CDATA[Foxconn CEO: 'We are definitely not a sweatshop']]>http://www.engadget.com/2010/05/25/foxconn-ceo-we-are-definitely-not-a-sweatshop/http://www.engadget.com/2010/05/25/foxconn-ceo-we-are-definitely-not-a-sweatshop/http://www.engadget.com/2010/05/25/foxconn-ceo-we-are-definitely-not-a-sweatshop/#comments The problems that have emerged in China at one of Foxconn's largest factories continue -- with reports this morning that an eleventh person has fallen from a building there, making him the ninth person to die there this year. Foxconn's CEO Guo Tai-ming yesterday released a statement to the Chinese press addressing the situation publicly for the first time. He stated: "We believe that we are definitely not a sweatshop. It's very difficult to manage a manufacturing team of 800,000 something. With the others around the world it adds up to almost 900,000, so there's a lot to be done every day. However, we believe that we'll soon be able to stabilize this situation."

The video also, however, details a new undercover report -- this time eight men who met online -- three of whom ended up being recruited by Foxconn. Their claims? New employees must sign a voluntary affidavit committing to between 60 and 100 hours of overtime each month -- far more than the legal limit of 36 hours. Managers often verbally abuse workers, and randomly deduct pay from their performance bonuses. The 900 yuan minimum wage per month (around $132) is very low in comparison to the company's profits and standing in the country. Possibly the most interesting tidbit unearthed here is the claim that over the past three months, Foxconn has lost about 50,000 workers each month, and as such, has become desperate to make up for the lost manpower. Recruitment standards -- which used to include proof of secondary education -- have been all but dropped, and new recruits need only show identification to obtain a position. Finally, Foxconn has apparently hired about 50 new counselors over the past two days, and the front-line managers are also now trying to communicate with the workers to get a feel for the situation. We'll keep our eyes peeled for further developments, but in the meantime, hit up the source link to view the full news report in Chinese.

Foxconn CEO: 'We are definitely not a sweatshop' originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 25 May 2010 10:53:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>applechinafactoriesfoxconnhuman rightsHumanRightssuicideworkersTue, 25 May 2010 10:53:00 EST<![CDATA[The fate of a generation of workers: Foxconn undercover fully translated (update: videos added)]]>http://www.engadget.com/2010/05/19/the-fate-of-a-generation-of-workers-foxconn-undercover-fully-tr/http://www.engadget.com/2010/05/19/the-fate-of-a-generation-of-workers-foxconn-undercover-fully-tr/http://www.engadget.com/2010/05/19/the-fate-of-a-generation-of-workers-foxconn-undercover-fully-tr/#commentsMachine translations are still years or even decades away from perfection, so rather than sending you to an auto-translated page, we now present -- with exclusive permission from Southern Weekend -- a human translation of this damning article on Foxconn by undercover reporter Liu Zhiyi.

(Photo: Southern Weekend)

I know of two groups of young people.

One group consists of university students like myself, who live in ivory towers and kept company by libraries and lake views. The other group works alongside steel machineries and large containers, all inside a factory of high-precision manufacturing environment. These guys always address their seniors as "laoban" (boss), and call their own colleagues -- regardless of familiarity -- the rude "diaomao" (pubic hair) in loud.

After going undercover in Foxconn for 28 days, I came back out. I've been trying to tie the two pictures together. But it's very difficult. Even with people living in these two places sharing the same age, the same youth dream.

My undercover was part of Southern Weekend's investigation on the then six Foxconn suicides. We soon found out that most of Southern Weekend's reporters were rejected due to age -- Foxconn only recruits people around the age of 20. In comparison, being just under 23 years old, I was quickly brought into Foxconn.

The 28-day undercover work made a strong impact on me. It wasn't about finding out what they died for, but rather to learn how they lived.

Continue reading The fate of a generation of workers: Foxconn undercover fully translated (update: videos added)

The fate of a generation of workers: Foxconn undercover fully translated (update: videos added) originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 19 May 2010 20:03:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>chinacovertdeathexclusivefoxconnhon haiHonHaiinvestigationshenzhensouthern weekendSouthernWeekendsuicidesuicidesundercovervideowelfareWed, 19 May 2010 20:03:00 EST<![CDATA[Undercover Chinese reporter exposes Foxconn working conditions (update: full English translation)]]>http://www.engadget.com/2010/05/19/undercover-chinese-reporter-exposes-foxconn-working-conditions/http://www.engadget.com/2010/05/19/undercover-chinese-reporter-exposes-foxconn-working-conditions/http://www.engadget.com/2010/05/19/undercover-chinese-reporter-exposes-foxconn-working-conditions/#comments
Some time in April, Chinese news site Southern Weekend sent its intern, Liu Zhiyi, on a 28-day undercover mission at Foxconn's Shenzhen factory, as part of an investigation on what could've led to this year's numerous suicides in one of China's largest factories. While the report doesn't comment on the company's management and support networks (or the lack of) for front-line workers, it appears that the real problem lies in Chinese workers' definition of a "good factory" -- one that pays more by means of offering overtime hours. It's clear what's causing this perception -- there's the sub-standard minimum wage in Shenzhen, and then there are the companies abusing this fact to lure workers with overtime hours above the legal limit.

Update: Thanks to Southern Weekend's exclusive permission, we've now published the full human translation of the Chinese report.

Continue reading Undercover Chinese reporter exposes Foxconn working conditions (update: full English translation)

Undercover Chinese reporter exposes Foxconn working conditions (update: full English translation) originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 19 May 2010 15:12:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>chinacovertdeathfoxconnhon haiHonHaiinvestigationshenzhensouthern weekendSouthernWeekendsuicidesuicidesundercoverwelfareWed, 19 May 2010 15:12:00 EST<![CDATA[Foxconn chairman 'has sought the aid of an exorcist' to stop suicides]]>http://www.engadget.com/2010/05/14/foxconn-chairman-has-sought-the-aid-of-an-exorcist-to-stop-sui/http://www.engadget.com/2010/05/14/foxconn-chairman-has-sought-the-aid-of-an-exorcist-to-stop-sui/http://www.engadget.com/2010/05/14/foxconn-chairman-has-sought-the-aid-of-an-exorcist-to-stop-sui/#comments Um, suicide is not funny. Especially when it's the eighth attempt -- this one resulting in death, sadly -- in three months by employees at a Foxconn facility in China. Yes, the very same factory we reported on last month that produces the gadgets we love so dearly. But check this little snippet from DigiTimes, translating the original Chinese language site Jinbw:
"Terry Guo, chairman of the Foxconn Group, has sought the aid of an exorcist in an attempt to put an end to the recent run of negative incidents at the plant."
Seriously? And here we thought that improving working conditions might better serve employees. Engadget Chinese did some digging and confirms reports that Foxconn will bring in a monk(s) to perform a religious service meant "to bring peace to employees" -- not necessarily meant to ward off evil.

In other news Foxconn just announced consolidated net profits of US$568.73 million for the first quarter of 2010, up 34.8 percent on the year.

Foxconn chairman 'has sought the aid of an exorcist' to stop suicides originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 14 May 2010 06:43:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>chinadeathexorcismexorcistfactoryfoxconnmonksuicideterry guoTerryGuoFri, 14 May 2010 06:43:00 EST<![CDATA[Five Foxconn workers attempt suicide in last month, are we the cause?]]>http://www.engadget.com/2010/04/08/five-foxconn-workers-attempt-suicide-in-last-month-are-we-the-c/http://www.engadget.com/2010/04/08/five-foxconn-workers-attempt-suicide-in-last-month-are-we-the-c/http://www.engadget.com/2010/04/08/five-foxconn-workers-attempt-suicide-in-last-month-are-we-the-c/#commentsWhether you know it or not, the people employed by Foxconn, aka, Hon Hai Precision Industry Co., have more than likely built something in your home. In fact, the computer or smartphone that you're using -- be it from Apple (yes, the iPad too), Nokia, HP or Dell -- to read these words was probably assembled by the hands of Foxconn workers; remote villagers that dedicate a few years of their lives (and typically 12 hours per day) to Foxconn's manufacturing cities. In return, Foxconn pays a relatively competitive wage that enables its workers to support distant relatives or eventually return to their interior province to purchase land or open up a local shop. So it's a bit startling to hear that five (5!) Foxconn workers at its Longhua plant have attempted suicide since March 11th; a facility that employs, feeds, and houses an estimated 300,000 workers. This is especially disturbing after the much publicized suicide of a Foxconn employee supposedly entrusted with an iPhone prototype. Is our obsession with cheap gadgets from a consumer electronics industry preoccupied with secrecy, profit, and speed, creating the conditions where -- for some -- suicide is the only escape?

Five Foxconn workers attempt suicide in last month, are we the cause? originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 08 Apr 2010 06:14:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>Amazonapplechinaciscodeathdellfactoryfoxconnhon haiHonHaihpLonghuaMicrosoftMotorolaNintendonokiaSonysuicideworkersThu, 08 Apr 2010 06:14:00 EST<![CDATA[Security official suspended, turned over to authorities in apparent connection to Foxconn employee's suicide]]>http://www.engadget.com/2009/07/22/security-official-suspended-turned-over-to-authorities-in-appar/http://www.engadget.com/2009/07/22/security-official-suspended-turned-over-to-authorities-in-appar/http://www.engadget.com/2009/07/22/security-official-suspended-turned-over-to-authorities-in-appar/#comments We suspect there's more than a few chapters left in the story of 25-year old Foxconn factory worker who died in an apparent suicide this month, following the disappearance of a prototype next-generation iPhone. The latest newsbit, this time care of Bloomberg, is that a security official for Hon Hai, a company with 72 percent stake in Foxconn, has been suspended and turned over to Chinese government authorities, with the suspicion / implication here that there's a direct correlation between this and the suicide. Though unconfirmed at this point, reports circulating say the worker had been harassed by company security prior to his death. Yahoo! Tech has all those details, and the official investigation is ongoing. We'd like to say there'll be conclusive answers in this case sometime in the near future, but we're not getting our hopes up.

Read - Hon Hai Suspends Official After iPhone Worker Suicide
Read - China suicide puts spotlight on secretive Apple culture

Filed under: ,

Security official suspended, turned over to authorities in apparent connection to Foxconn employee's suicide originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 22 Jul 2009 22:41:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>4g iphone4gIphoneappleapple iphoneAppleIphonechinachinesedeathfoxconnguhon halHonHaliphoneiphone 3giphone 4giphone 4gmIphone3gIphone4gIphone4gmmobilesuicideSun TanyongSunTanyongtragedyWed, 22 Jul 2009 22:41:00 EST<![CDATA[Security official suspended, turned over to authorities in apparent connection to Foxconn employee's suicide]]>http://www.engadget.com/2009/07/22/security-official-suspended-turned-over-to-authorities-in-appar/http://www.engadget.com/2009/07/22/security-official-suspended-turned-over-to-authorities-in-appar/http://www.engadget.com/2009/07/22/security-official-suspended-turned-over-to-authorities-in-appar/#comments We suspect there's more than a few chapters left in the story of 25-year old Foxconn factory worker who died in an apparent suicide this month, following the disappearance of a prototype next-generation iPhone. The latest newsbit, this time care of Bloomberg, is that a security official for Hon Hai, a company with 72 percent stake in Foxconn, has been suspended and turned over to Chinese government authorities, with the suspicion / implication here that there's a direct correlation between this and the suicide. Though unconfirmed at this point, reports circulating say the worker had been harassed by company security prior to his death. Yahoo! Tech has all those details, and the official investigation is ongoing. We'd like to say there'll be conclusive answers in this case sometime in the near future, but we're not getting our hopes up.

Read - Hon Hai Suspends Official After iPhone Worker Suicide
Read - China suicide puts spotlight on secretive Apple culture

Filed under:

Security official suspended, turned over to authorities in apparent connection to Foxconn employee's suicide originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 22 Jul 2009 22:41:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>4g iphone4gIphoneappleapple iphoneAppleIphonechinachinesedeathfoxconnguhon halHonHaliphoneiphone 3giphone 4giphone 4gmIphone3gIphone4gIphone4gmsuicideSun TanyongSunTanyongtragedyWed, 22 Jul 2009 22:41:00 EST<![CDATA[Apple confirms and expresses sadness over death of Chinese iPhone prototype handler]]>http://www.engadget.com/2009/07/21/apple-confirms-expresses-sadness-over-death-of-chinese-iphone-p/http://www.engadget.com/2009/07/21/apple-confirms-expresses-sadness-over-death-of-chinese-iphone-p/http://www.engadget.com/2009/07/21/apple-confirms-expresses-sadness-over-death-of-chinese-iphone-p/#comments Reports have circulated the internet that a 25-year old worker at Chinese manufacturer Foxconn, which produces all the iPhone models for Apple, committed suicide last week following revelation that a fourth-generation iPhone prototype, one of the 16 iPhones he was responsible for, had gone missing. Some stories circulating have described illegal searches of the man's apartment and interrogation involving physical abuse by other Foxconn employees. While not confirming the case being a suicide or the cause being the disappearing device, a spokesperson for the Cupertino-based company did release a statement corroborating the news of his death, saying that it is "saddened by the tragic loss of this young employee, and we are awaiting results of the investigations into his death. We require our suppliers to treat all workers with dignity and respect." The status of the missing iPhone prototype, which may or may not have been one that earlier this month found itself on eBay given the timeframe (although a 3GS model and not "fourth generation") remains unknown. Our hearts go out to all involved.

Read - Statement form Apple
Read - iPhone prototype goes missing; Chinese worker investigated, commits suicide

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Apple confirms and expresses sadness over death of Chinese iPhone prototype handler originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 21 Jul 2009 23:23:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>4g iphone4gIphoneappleapple iphoneAppleIphonechinachinesedeathfourth-generationfoxconniphoneiphone 3giphone 3g siphone prototypeIphone3gIphone3gSIphonePrototypemobileprototypesuicideTue, 21 Jul 2009 23:23:00 EST<![CDATA[Apple confirms and expresses sadness over death of Chinese iPhone prototype handler]]>http://www.engadget.com/2009/07/21/apple-confirms-expresses-sadness-over-death-of-chinese-iphone-p/http://www.engadget.com/2009/07/21/apple-confirms-expresses-sadness-over-death-of-chinese-iphone-p/http://www.engadget.com/2009/07/21/apple-confirms-expresses-sadness-over-death-of-chinese-iphone-p/#comments Reports have circulated the internet that a 25-year old worker at Chinese manufacturer Foxconn, which produces all the iPhone models for Apple, committed suicide last week following revelation that a fourth-generation iPhone prototype, one of the 16 iPhones he was responsible for, had gone missing. Some stories circulating have described illegal searches of the man's apartment and interrogation involving physical abuse by other Foxconn employees. While not confirming the case being a suicide or the cause being the disappearing device, a spokesperson for the Cupertino-based company did release a statement corroborating the news of his death, saying that it is "saddened by the tragic loss of this young employee, and we are awaiting results of the investigations into his death. We require our suppliers to treat all workers with dignity and respect." The status of the missing iPhone prototype, which may or may not have been one that earlier this month found itself on eBay given the timeframe (although a 3GS model and not "fourth generation") remains unknown. Our hearts go out to all involved.

Read - Statement form Apple
Read - iPhone prototype goes missing; Chinese worker investigated, commits suicide

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Apple confirms and expresses sadness over death of Chinese iPhone prototype handler originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 21 Jul 2009 23:23:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>4g iphone4gIphoneappleapple iphoneAppleIphonechinachinesedeathfourth-generationfoxconniphoneiphone 3giphone 3g siphone prototypeIphone3gIphone3gSIphonePrototypeprototypesuicideTue, 21 Jul 2009 23:23:00 EST