Apple sends independent inspectors to iPhone factory in India

Apple supplier Hon Hai Precision Industry was put on notice by the consumer technology giant on Wednesday, amid growing concerns over working conditions at its plant in southern India.

Protests were reported among the 17,000-strong workforce at the iPhone assembly plant near Chennai earlier in December, after more than 250 women working there were treated for food poisoning.

Hon Hai, which trades under the ‘Foxconn’ banner, closed the plant on 18 December, with neither it or Apple providing any clues as to when it might reopen.

Reuters reported on Wednesday that Apple had dispatched “independent auditors” to the plant to inspect and monitor working conditions.

“The safety and well being of our employees is our top priority,” Hon Hai said in a statement to equity markets on Wednesday.

“We have been investigating recent issues at our Sriperumbudur facility in Tamil Nadu and have found that some offsite dormitory facilities do not meet the required standards.

“We are very sorry for the issue our employees experienced and are taking immediate steps to enhance the facilities and services we provide at the remote dormitory accommodations.”

Hon Hai said it was also restructuring its local management team and systems to ensure it could !achieve and maintain” the necessary standards.

“This incident has no effect to [sic] our business.

“All employees will continue to be paid while we make the necessary improvements before restarting our operations and we will continue to provide support for our employees as they return to work.”

At 1442 GMT, shares in Apple were up 0.57% on the Nasdaq at $180.31, while Hon Hai Precision Industry closed 0.47% weaker in Taiwan at TWD 105.00.