Changes made to resolve worker health and safety issues at Foxconn’s plants

Aug 22, 2012 07:11 GMT  ·  By

The Fair Labor Association (FLA) reports that Foxconn and Apple have made successful changes to improve the lives of the workers that assemble iPhones and iPads in China.

The FLA is a coalition of non-governmental organizations, businesses, and universities fighting to improve the well-being, safety, fair treatment, and respect of workers.

It was formed in January, 2012. Apple Inc. was the first electronics company to join it.

The nonprofit published a status report (PDF) this week verifying the implementation of action items after the assessments conducted at three Foxconn plants.

The report mentions items slated for April and May, where Foxconn has not only completed all the due actions (195), but did so ahead of schedule.

Changes to improve workers’ health and safety included the enforcement of ergonomic breaks, and changing the design of their equipment for protection against injuries caused by repetitive stress.

The maintenance policies were updated in order to ensure equipment is working properly.

The emergency protective equipment, like eyewashes and sprinklers, was successfully tested, and consultants now provide health and safety training for all staffers.

For migrant workers working in Shenzhen, Foxconn helped to extend unemployment insurance coverage.

The electronics assembler did so by advocating for legislation that will allow workers to access the unemployment insurance scheme, effective January 1, 2013.

“Our verification shows that the necessary changes, including immediate health and safety measures, have been made,” said Auret van Heerden, president and CEO of the Fair Labor Association.

“We are satisfied that Apple has done its due diligence thus far to hold Foxconn accountable for complying with the action plan, including the commitment to reform its internship program.”

76 items remain due for next year. They’re not going to be easy to carry out, according to van Heerden.

“The next phase of improvements will be challenging for Foxconn because they involve major changes in the working environment that will inevitably cause uncertainty and anxiety among workers,” he said.

“As Foxconn prepares to comply with the Chinese legal limits on work hours, consultation with workers on the changes and implications will be critical to a successful transition,” said van Heerden.