Foxconn—18 worker suicide attempts at Shenzhen factory in 2010, resulting in 14 deaths, leading to installation of suicide prevention nets
Between January and November 2010, 18 Foxconn workers attempted suicide at the company's Shenzhen factory complex, with 14 deaths. Workers cited extreme work pressure, mandatory overtime, verbal abuse by supervisors, and social isolation in cramped dormitories. Foxconn's response included installing physical nets to catch jumpers and requiring workers to sign 'no suicide' pledges. The crisis drew international attention to electronics supply chain labor conditions.
Scoring Impact
| Topic | Direction | Relevance | Contribution |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mental Health | -against | primary | -1.00 |
| Supply Chain Ethics | -against | secondary | -0.50 |
| Worker Rights | -against | primary | -1.00 |
| Overall incident score = | -0.552 | ||
Score = avg(topic contributions) × significance (critical ×2) × confidence (0.66)× agency (negligent ×0.5)
Evidence (2 signals)
18 Foxconn workers attempted suicide at Shenzhen factory in 2010, resulting in 14 deaths, prompting installation of suicide prevention nets
In 2010, 18 employees at Foxconn's Shenzhen Longhua factory complex attempted suicide, with 14 confirmed deaths and four survivors with crippling injuries. Notable case: 17-year-old Tian Yu jumped from fourth floor dormitory on March 17 after 37 days employment, survived with paralysis from waist down. Workers cited extreme work pressure, long hours, discrimination, and social isolation. CEO Terry Gou installed 'safety nets' to catch jumpers and attempted to require workers sign 'no-suicide pledge' with disclaimer absolving Foxconn of responsibility (later retracted after outcry). Investigation by 20 Chinese universities produced 83-page report describing Foxconn as 'labor camp,' finding illegal overtime, unreported accidents, and 'inhumane and abusive' management. The Guardian, CBS News, and academic journals extensively documented the crisis. Apple and HP investigated employment practices. 2012 Fair Labor Association audit at Apple's request found workplace accidents commonplace and overtime pay insufficient.
CBS News investigation documented Foxconn's response to 2010 suicide crisis including nets and anti-suicide pledges
CBS News investigated the aftermath of 14 worker deaths by suicide at Foxconn's Shenzhen factory in 2010. All victims were in their late teens or early twenties. Foxconn installed suicide prevention nets around buildings by end of May 2010, required anti-suicide pledges from new hires (later retracted after outcry), and raised wages from 950 to 1,200 yuan but simultaneously increased quotas by 20%. A 20-university consortium described Foxconn as a 'labor camp' based on interviews with 1,800 workers.