Apple is reportedly withholding new benefits for its factory workers at companies like Foxconn, a practice which first started when the company signed its first contract with employees in 2010.
In response to an inquiry by The New York Times, Apple said it was not withholding any type of benefits from any of its workforce in China. In strict accordance with Chinese law and regulations, Apple has an open and direct dialogue with the Union that has resulted in many benefits to our employees such as improved overtime pay. We’re committed to providing safe and fair working conditions and are proud of our work with unions across the globe on this important issue.
Apple’s first union contract was signed with Foxconn workers in 2010, but all of the benefits were not implemented until earlier this year. Among the benefits that are new are “a base wage increase from 900 yuan to 1,200 yuan per month (roughly from $150 to $182), additional payments for reaching the midpoint of a production cycle and a bonus payment at the end of each month.” While Apple says it follows Chinese law and regulations regarding its labor, the factory workers say they actually have only received half of what they were promised.
In response to a second inquiry by The New York Times , Apple said it was not withholding any type of benefits from any of its workforce in China. In strict accordance with Chinese law and regulations, Apple has an open and direct dialogue with the Union that has resulted in many benefits to our employees such as improved overtime pay. We’re committed to providing safe and fair working conditions and are proud of our work with unions across the globe on this important issue.
According to The New York Times’ 2006 report, Chinese workers at Foxconn’s Longhua factory were promised higher wages by Apple if they kept their jobs after a summertime layoff. While Apple did provide the promised wage increase, the company said it was not under any legal obligation to do so. In addition, the company said it had provided Foxconn employees’ wage data for review.
