Foxconn Expects 50,000 Workers to Take Part in `Treasure Your Life' Rally
Foxconn Technology Group, maker of Apple Inc. iPhones and Sony Corp. games consoles, expects 50,000 workers across China to join rallies tomorrow aimed at boosting morale after a spate of suicides at the company.
“Following the series of tragic incidents involving its employees, Foxconn is organizing, together with the Foxconn Employee Labor Union, a cross-campus employee rally to promote a positive outlook and approach towards life,” the Taipei-based company said in a statement today issued by its public relations agency Burson-Marstellar. About 20,000 workers are expected at its Longhua, Southern China campus, it said.
Foxconn, whose flagship Hon Hai Precision Industry Co. supplies Apple, Sony and Dell Inc., had at least 10 workers commit suicide at its Chinese factories this year. The deaths prompted the company in May to hire counselors and monks, and install anti-jump nets at its campuses.
Chairman Terry Gou said in June the spate of suicides was caused by personal problems and exacerbated by compensation packages paid to victims’ families. He denied an accusation by New York-based China Labor Watch that the company is a “sweatshop.”
Tomorrow’s event, titled “Treasure Your Life, Love Your Family, Care for Each Other to Build a Wonderful Future,” will be held across the company’s campuses in China and linked by video conference, the statement said.
Apple, Hewlett-Packard Co. and Dell said in May they’re investigating working conditions after the deaths. Ten workers jumped to their deaths in January through May, according to the company. A 22-year old female worker fell to her death on Aug. 4, although it was not immediately clear if the incident was suicide, Foxconn said earlier this month.
To contact the reporter on this story: Tim Culpan in Taipei at tculpan1@bloomberg.net.
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