Apple—Fourteen Foxconn workers died by suicide at Apple supplier factories in 2010 amid harsh working conditions
In 2010, fourteen workers at Foxconn factories in Shenzhen, China — Apple's primary manufacturing partner — died by suicide, with others making attempts. Investigations revealed harsh working conditions including excessive overtime, military-style management, cramped dormitories, and low pay. The crisis drew global attention to labor conditions in Apple's supply chain. Apple ordered an investigation and joined the Fair Labor Association, while Foxconn installed suicide prevention nets and raised wages. The incident became emblematic of the human cost of consumer electronics manufacturing.
Scoring Impact
| Topic | Direction | Relevance | Contribution |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mental Health | -against | secondary | -0.50 |
| Supply Chain Ethics | -against | primary | -1.00 |
| Worker Rights | -against | primary | -1.00 |
| Overall incident score = | -0.492 | ||
Score = avg(topic contributions) × significance (critical ×2) × confidence (0.59)× agency (negligent ×0.5)
Evidence (1 signal)
CBS News reported on Foxconn worker suicides at Apple supplier factories in China
Fourteen workers at Foxconn factories in Shenzhen, China — Apple's primary manufacturing partner — died by suicide in 2010 amid reports of excessive overtime, military-style management, and low pay. The crisis prompted Apple to join the Fair Labor Association and commission independent audits. Foxconn installed anti-suicide nets around buildings and raised wages.