Foxconn Linked to Illegal iPhone X Assembly

The 11-hour days were part of a “work experience” requirement for students.

Despite its' $999 price tag, availability of Apple’s iPhone X remains limited, as some pre-orders won’t be filled until well into December. These delays have primarily been associated with supply chain issues surrounding the advanced screen, and the amount of assembly time required for the Face ID sensor.

In looking to address that assembly issue, Apple manufacturing partner Foxconn may have created an even larger problem. According to various outlets and first reported by Financial Times, Foxconn has admitted to hiring 3,000 high-school interns and working them up to 11 hours a day to assemble the iPhone X.   

The students were from the Zhengzhou Urban Rail Transit School, but regardless of their course of study, they were allegedly required to complete a three-month “work experience” requirement in order to graduate. 

To the surprise of no one, the school has been silent. However, both Apple and Foxconn have acknowledged that some of the student interns were voluntarily and illegally working overtime. There has been no word from the Chinese government on possible fines or discipline for the school or the companies. 

The Zhengzhou factory, which is often referred to as "iPhone City", hires students every year between August and December, but was under more pressure this year due to the highly anticipated model X launch. 

The Foxconn plant in question has over 300,000 workers capable of producing up to 20,000 iPhones per day. 

Foxconn recently announced plans for a $10 billion facility in southeastern Wisconsin that could employ as many as 15,000 full-time workers. Hopefully they instill a little better intern management program.

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