14 DAY TRIAL // China Labor Watch, an independent non-profit organization which defends labor rights in China, is reporting another disturbing suicide occurring at Foxconn’s Zhengzhou factory where Apple iPhones are assembled (UPDATED, see below).
A press release issued by the labor watchdog reveals that “On May 14, another worker at Foxconn's factory in Zhengzhou jumped off a building to his death.”
On April 24 and on April 27, respectively, similar incidents were reported, making this the third suicide to occur in 20 days at Foxconn’s iPhone assembly plant.
The Chinese electronics maker is known to have instated a new “silence mode” at the factory in question, an initiative that reportedly prevents workers from talking on the job. Employees who break the rule are reportedly threatened with termination.
However, Foxconn’s stringent rules aren’t always the reason behind these suicides, as one report cited by China Labor Watch said, “the most recent suicide might have been associated with relationship problems,” according to the press release.
Considering all the suicide reports over the years, the work / living conditions at Foxconn probably aren’t helping either, regardless of what love problems a worker might have.
Update: Apparently this person didn't even work for Foxconn. Way to go China Labor Watch!