Foxconn Looking To Improve Worker Conditions In China
by Brent Dirks
March 13, 2012
Often criticized Apple supplier, Foxconn, is apparently looking to improve worker conditions by hiring a safety and security officer, a lifestyle services manager, and two fire chiefs for its operations in China.
According to Bloomberg, Louis Woo, chairman of Foxconn’s retail division, confirmed only that the company is hiring positions in the city of Shenzhen:
The lifestyle manager will be responsible for conditions at the company’s dormitories, canteens and health departments, according to the advertisement. The safety and security post requires a college degree in criminal investigation or legal- related disciplines, while the fire chiefs must have at least four years of related experience.Foxconn employs more than 1.2 million people, mostly in China. It’s nice to see that the Apple supplier is finally beginning to be concerned about its employees, who essentially make by hand the Apple gadgets we enjoy. Other companies Foxconn supplies to include Microsoft, Dell, Hewlett-Packard and Sony. A recent ABC News “Nightline” report took a look at the same Shenzhen plant where Foxconn is looking to fill the positions. One of the more interesting facts I thought, from the report, was that the youngest workers in the factory were 17 or 18 and made as little as $2 per day during a 12-hour shift. Yet, even with the low pay and less than ideal conditions for the workers, Foxconn is still planning to place at least 1 million robots in its factories by 2013. Are you glad to see Foxconn actually being more concerned about employee welfare? (Image via ABC News)