Another Foxconn Worker Allegedly Commits Suicide in China

China is seen equally the Shangri-la for manufacturing for a elementary reason — depression cost of labor translates to lower manufacturing expenditure. But this seemingly toll-effective solution comes at the cost of unpleasant stories of forced labor, chancy weather and workforce deprivation.

Foxconn was recently confronted by Apple for employing loftier schoolhouse students to keep upwardly with the demand for the iPhone X. While Apple forced Foxconn to rescind the practice, the Taiwanese contract manufacturer has tangled itself in another human rights controversy with the suicide of a worker.

Li Ming, 31, reportedly leaped off from the building of Foxconn's Zhengzhou found where the iPhone X is manufactured.

Foxconn Blamed for Poor Work Conditions Amid Controversy Over Worker's Suicide

This has erupted a wave of opposition from Labour Rights bodies across the earth along with claims over poor working conditions, although a clarification from the local police is missing. The Telegraph says that Ming had been working for Foxconn for two months and lived in factory dormitories.

Ming had been employed as a contract worker at Foxconn's unit for the past two months and lived in dormitories inside the mill. The blow has brought back specters from the past, recalling previous incidents of suicides at Foxconn's manufacturing plants which were mainly due to poor work conditions, and mismanagement.

Foxconn has a long recorded history of exploitation. In 2009, a worker committed suicide after being beaten by the guards for misplacing an iPhone prototype. In 2010, every bit many as 14 workers took their lives over the "sweatshop" work environment. In the post-obit year, Foxconn resorted to installing nets to prevent suicides at its Wuhan factory despite which four employees managed to come across the ill fate.

Foxconn Blamed for Poor Work Conditions Amid Controversy Over Worker's Suicide — The iPhone assembly line, Courtesy: The Guardian

In 2012, almost 150 employees protested on the roof of the building, enervating better work conditions under the threat of suicide. The spate of such incidents came to a halt thanks to Apple's effort and intervention, until Ming vaulted from the building. This is likely to flare up the controversy over again, especially given the barrage of criticism thrown at Apple tree recently over older iPhones and sick-treatment of loyal customers.

Foxconn is the largest private sector employer in China with a labor pool of as many as one.2 million out of which near 350,000 are employed at the Zhengzhou plant. It is where one-half of the iPhones are assembled at the rate of 350 per infinitesimal.