Various clips circulating on Twitter show workers clashing with hazmat-suited officials. Reports suggest that the clash happened over delayed pay and working conditions. As per a report by the Wall Street Journal, the protests started soon after workers – who have been under strict Covid-19 lockdown for weeks in the factory – got to know that their bonus payments would be delayed.
BTW, in these videos, those in white are police and security; those in normal clothes are the protesting #Foxconn w… https://t.co/YWTl6fs7uo
— Stephen McDonell (@StephenMcDonell) 1669203816000
This video circulating of the fresh clashes at #Foxconn would appear to show armed officials (presumably police) ki… https://t.co/bqg2RPwRj8
— Stephen McDonell (@StephenMcDonell) 1669193958000
Disruptions in Foxconn factory
Foxconn’s Zhengzhou factory has been under lockdown for some time now. Employees have reportedly been isolated and are forced to live as well as work on-site (with limited food and supplies) to prevent further outbreaks in the “iPhone City.”
Previously, reports suggested that many workers escaped from the locked-down facility. Various video clips circulating on the social media platforms showed employees scaling fences of the factory and walking on the highways. This apparently led Foxconn to promise incentives like higher salaries and bonuses to retain staff.
So they may think Zero #Covid is going great but here are more of the Foxconn workers who’ve broken out of Apple’s… https://t.co/5kqwIpgkWd
— Stephen McDonell (@StephenMcDonell) 1667119468000
Workers have broken out of #Apple’s largest assembly site, escaping the Zero #Covid lockdown at Foxconn in… https://t.co/2BYI4vPXoX
— Stephen McDonell (@StephenMcDonell) 1667117920000
However, it seems the promise was not fulfilled and workers started protesting at the campus, chanting “give us our pay.” More footage appeared showing protestors shouting “Defend our rights! Defend our rights!”.
Working to prevent repeat of incident: Foxconn
Foxconn said that the workers had complained about pay and conditions at the plant but the company denied housing new recruits with Covid-positive staff at the factory. “Regarding any violence, the company will continue to communicate with employees and the government to prevent similar incidents from happening again,” the Taiwanese tech giant said in a statement.