14 DAY TRIAL // As Foxconn rushes to clear up an image that became progressively tarnished due to multiple worker suicide reports, Chinese state media now informs that another employee fell to his death yesterday at the company's plant in southern China. This makes the 11th such death this year, the Sydney Morning Herald points out.
Apple is one of Foxconn’s most important partners. Also known as "Hon Hai Group," Foxconn assembles the popular iPhone, iPods, and now Apple's tablet – the iPad. Many allege that the company imposes strict, military-grade rules, while workers reportedly have to do overtime work on assembly lines that move too fast.
Softpedia reported yesterday that Apple issued its first official statement in light of the suicides occurring at Foxconn’s facilities. "We're in direct contact with Foxconn senior management and we believe they are taking this matter very seriously," Steve Dowling, an Apple spokesman, said, according to Bloomberg. "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." The spokesman reportedly added that, "[Apple is] saddened and upset by the recent suicides at Foxconn."
The high number of suicides caused an outrage over whether the companies were treating their employees well. Foxconn had reportedly moved to open its factory to the media, in an effort to show that working conditions were not as harsh as some said.
According to a report by Cult of Mac, in response to the outcry caused by these tragic events, one of the company’s representatives, Louis Woo, an aide to Mr. Gou at Hon Hai, made an unfortunate statement, saying, "There is a fine line between productivity and regimentation and inhumane treatment. I hope we treat our workers with dignity and respect." In fact, everyone should agree that productivity and regimentation and inhumane treatment are as different as night and day.
According to the official Xinhua news agency, which broke the news on the latest death at Foxconn, the suicide occurred just hours after the company reportedly urged its workers to promise in writing not to kill themselves as it struggled to keep things under control. In fact, the suicide occurred on the very day Foxconn took journalists on a tour around the factory.
The company's Chairman, Terry Gou, reportedly said he feared that the next time his phone rang, it would be news of another death at his factories. He told reporters they were doing everything possible to prevent more suicides, which includes nets on buildings (to stop people from jumping), and some 100 mental health counselors. "We need some time," he said. "But we are confident. We are extremely determined."