Foxconn—Used dispatch workers for 50% of iPhone 17 production workforce, 5 times the legal 10% limit, denying benefits and protections
China Labour Bulletin investigation in January 2025 found Foxconn's Zhengzhou iPhone factory employed dispatch workers (temporary contractors) for approximately 50% of the workforce producing iPhone 17, violating China's 10% legal limit. Dispatch workers receive lower wages, no benefits (housing, insurance, bonuses), and can be dismissed without cause. This practice allows Foxconn to avoid permanent employment obligations and suppress organizing.
Scoring Impact
| Topic | Direction | Relevance | Contribution |
|---|---|---|---|
| Supply Chain Ethics | -against | secondary | -0.50 |
| Worker Rights | -against | primary | -1.00 |
| Overall incident score = | -0.885 | ||
Score = avg(topic contributions) × significance (critical ×2) × confidence (0.59)
Evidence (1 signal)
China Labor Watch investigation (Sept 2025) found Foxconn Zhengzhou iPhone 17 factory used dispatch workers for 50% of workforce, violating 10% legal limit
China Labor Watch released investigative report 'Apple's Dependence on China in Its Supply Chain: An Investigation of Foxconn Zhengzhou' on September 25, 2025, documenting investigation from March-September 2025. Found dispatch workers comprised more than 50% of the 150,000-200,000 workforce at iPhone 17 production facility—five times China's 10% legal limit. Dispatch workers earned only 12 RMB/hour base (below statutory 20.6 RMB/hour minimum), with remainder paid following month, forfeited if resigned before 25th. Documented 60-75 hour workweeks exceeding legal maximum, discriminatory hiring excluding Uyghur, Tibetan, Hui, and Yi minorities, x-ray exams barring pregnant women, and coerced student workers on night shifts linked to graduation. CLW documented Apple employees on-site. Apple responded teams were 'on site and begun immediate investigation' and 'firmly committed to highest standards.'