AfterDawn: News

Xbox 360 factory workers threaten suicide in China?

Allegedly, 300 disgruntled workers at Foxconn's Technology Park in Wuhan, China threatened to commit suicide today by jumping off a building.

The factory builds parts used in the Xbox 360.



Apparently the threats came after a payment dispute with their boss. After asking for a raise last week, the boss told them to quit with a small severance or continue to work without a raise. Most of the workers took the severance but the company reportedly then reneged on the deal, not paying them the extra compensation and not giving them their jobs back.

Foxconn had a different statement, however, saying 150 employees took part "in a workplace incident" over being transferred to a different unit within the same massive campus. The company says Foxconn officials and government representatives resolved the issue, with 45 employees resigning and the rest staying on.

Microsoft released a statement, as well: "Microsoft takes working conditions in the factories that manufacture its products very seriously, and we are currently investigating this issue. We have a stringent Vendor Code of Conduct that spells out our expectations, and we monitor working conditions closely on an ongoing basis and address issues as they emerge. Microsoft is committed to the fair treatment and safety of workers employed by our vendors, and to ensuring conformance with Microsoft policy."

Foxconn is notorious for poor working conditions and was a daily headline in the last few years as workers committed suicide to have their families collect death compensation that was worth over 10 years of work pay. The company has even installed nets around their campuses to catch would-be jumpers.

Written by: Andre Yoskowitz @ 11 Jan 2012 18:34

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• 9 comments

• EzCeazy

  My dream one day is to work for a company that cares more about their employees then their money.

  11.1.2012 18:57 #1

• Hyasuma

  Originally posted by EzCeazy: My dream one day is to work for a company that cares more about their employees then their money. +1
  

  Being nice always has its own consequences

  11.1.2012 19:06 #2

• Kannz

  they didn't update all their buildings like the other Chinese factories and put a cattle fences and some nets up?
  

  11.1.2012 23:02 #3

• KillerBug

  Microsoft only cares about low costs; that is the reason they build their devices using slave labor to begin with. I doubt this will change anything.
  

  
  

  11.1.2012 23:36 #4

• xnonsuchx

  So much for this being all Apple's fault as many have done, huh?
  
  Foxconn manufactures parts and assembles products for virtually ALL major electronics manufacturers. Abuses are primarily the fault of Foxconn, not the companies who hire them as a subcontractor (who generally have standards that the subcontractors are supposed to follow, but cannot police themselves all the time). However, all the bad press regarding Foxconn the past few years should make other companies question whether to keep using them as a subcontractor.

  12.1.2012 04:25 #5

• Interestx

  ooops double post
  

  12.1.2012 05:43 #6

• Interestx

  Originally posted by KillerBug: Microsoft only cares about low costs; that is the reason they build their devices using slave labor to begin with. I doubt this will change anything. The sad truth is Killerbug that modern day slavery is endemic to pretty much all CE goods nowadays.
  From city-sized prison complexes in China to forced prison work in the west it's staggeringly big business if you check it out.
  But most don't & so are blissfully unaware.
  
  That's one of the main reasons why most electronic goods are so cheap, that and automation.
  
  The conditions of prisoners and/or the low paid foreign worker/foreign prisoner is very very far down the list of priorities and unless we all go out of our way to check out what we are buying then it is hard to escape the conclusion that we are complicit in this slave trade.
  
  All the big CE corps source from China, India and east asia, just like lots of the clothes & shoe companies.
  It's everywhere & nobody cares cos it saves us a few £/$
  (even if our jobs are exported every & anywhere else).
  
  It is coming to something tho that the exploitation is so gross that people will kill themselves (as several have already) rather than endure it any longer.
  The current version of capitalism eh?
  
  How to win friends & influence, not.
  

  12.1.2012 05:44 #7

• xboxdvl2

  i think the main problem is the factorys dont care.they know if a few workers suicide they can go hire more the same day.
  

  R.I.P. mr 1990 ford falcon.got myself a 1993 toyota corolla seems to run good.computers still going good.

  12.1.2012 23:40 #8

• embo22000

  Originally posted by xboxdvl2: i think the main problem is the factorys dont care.they know if a few workers suicide they can go hire more the same day. it's not even a factory it's like a huge city it's crazy seen it on the news... and it def looks like slavery to me

  17.1.2012 15:02 #9