South

Large-scale food poisoning near Chennai, apple suppliers in trouble: 10 facts

December 29, 2021
Bharat Times

Around 250 women working at Foxconn plant in Tamil Nadu were treated for food poisoning

New Delhi:
Apple Inc today said it has placed a plant of its supplier Foxconn in India on “probation” after the facility reported a massive food-poisoning at its offsite hostel facility in Tamil Nadu’s Sriperumbudur, prompting protests by workers. was performed.

Here’s your 10-point cheatsheet for this big story:

  1. The iPhone maker’s supplier said in a statement that it is restructuring the local management team and systems to ensure it can maintain high standards at its facility in Sriperumbudur, Tamil Nadu.

  2. Around 250 women working at a Foxconn factory near Chennai were treated for food poisoning this month, of whom 159 were hospitalised. This led to protests against the living conditions in the company’s hostels.

  3. Foxconn said some offsite hostel facilities do not meet the required standards. “We hold our suppliers accountable to the highest standards in the industry and conduct regular assessments to ensure compliance,” an Apple spokesperson said.

  4. “We are deeply sorry for the problem experienced by our employees and are taking immediate steps to enhance the facilities and services provided in remote hostels,” Foxconn said.

  5. It said all employees would continue to be paid while rectifications are made before resuming operations. “Foxconn’s Sriperumbudur facility has been placed on probation and we will ensure that our strict standards are met before the facility reopens. We will continue to monitor the circumstances closely,” an Apple spokesperson said.

  6. After concerns were raised about food safety and accommodation at the Tamil Nadu facility, Apple sent independent auditors to conduct a detailed evaluation.

  7. The factory employs about 17,000 people. It manufactures iPhones for the Indian market and for export as well as other gadgets.

  8. Market watchers say that while the plant was expected to open around the new year, Apple’s latest move to put the Foxconn facility on probation could mean some delay in resuming operations.

  9. There is no word from Foxconn about when the unit will start operations. The facility has been closed since the protest began on December 18.

  10. Apple has long faced criticism about the treatment of workers at its partner factories in China, especially after the suicide at Foxconn’s industrial park in Shenzhen in 2010.

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