ASSIGNMENT 1

TOPIC: FOXCONN SUICIDES 2010

COURSE: BUSINESS AND LABOR LAW

SUBMITTED BY: SUBMITTED TO:

NABEEL KAMRAN SIR USYAD JAMIL
CLASS: BSAF 6-A
 INDEX

S.NO DESCRIPTION PAGES

1. ABSTRACT
2. HISTORY
3. INTRODUCTION TO
FOXCCON
4. THE FOXCONN SUICIDES
2010
5. THE EVENT UNFOLD
6. STORIES OF VICTIMS
7. CASUALTIES
8. REASON OF
DISASTER/REASON PEOPLE
FORCE TO COMMIT
SUICIDE
9. PROTESTS
10. STEP TAKEN BY THE
FOXCCON AFTER THIS
INCIDENT
ABSTRACT
Foxconn, founded by Terry Gou in 1974, grew from a small Taiwanese company to a global electronics
manufacturer, notably producing goods for companies like Apple and Microsoft. In 2010, a series of
worker suicides at its facilities in China, particularly in Shenzhen, drew widespread attention. The
suicides, attributed to harsh working conditions, low wages, and poor mental health support, sparked
protests and raised concerns about labour practices in the manufacturing sector. Victims like Yu, Ma
Xiangqian, and others faced long hours, low pay, and strict management practices, contributing to their
despair. In response, Foxconn implemented measures such as wage increases, suicide prevention
measures like safety nets, and spiritual support through Buddhist monks. However, controversies arose
over no-suicide pledges and legally binding documents. Despite these challenges, Foxconn's history of
innovation and global expansion continues, as it adapts to market demands and technological
advancements.
HISTORY
Terry Gou founded Hon Hai Precision Industry Co., Ltd. in Taipei, Taiwan, in 1974. The company
expanded significantly, with its first manufacturing plant in Mainland China opening in Shenzhen in
1988. In 2001, Foxconn secured a major milestone by being chosen by Intel to manufacture its
motherboards, marking a pivotal moment in its growth trajectory.
Over the years, Foxconn continued to expand its operations globally. In 2012, it acquired a stake in Sharp
Corporation and announced plans for new factories in Brazil. Despite some setbacks, including a halted
takeover bid for Sharp due to undisclosed liabilities, Foxconn persevered and further diversified its
portfolio.
In response to the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020, Foxconn demonstrated its agility by pivoting to produce
medical masks and clothing. Additionally, it played a crucial role in securing COVID-19 vaccines for
Taiwan through strategic partnerships and initiatives.
Foxconn's commitment to innovation and transformation was evident through its ventures into electric
vehicles (EVs), semiconductor production, and telecommunications. Collaborations with industry leaders
and strategic investments fueled its growth trajectory, culminating in the launch of its first electric vehicle
in partnership with Luxgen in 2022.
Throughout its history, Foxconn has evolved from an electrical components manufacturer to a global
technology conglomerate, continuously adapting to market demands and technological advancements to
maintain its position as a leader in the industry.

INTRODUCTION TO FOXCCON
Taiwan is home to Foxconn Technology Group, a global contract manufacturer of electronics also known
by the name Hon Hai Precision Industry Co., Ltd. Producing goods for businesses like Apple, Microsoft,
Sony, and others, it is one of the biggest electronics producers in the world. Foxconn employs thousands
of people at its several plants located in China.

THE FOXCONN SUICIDES 2010

The Foxconn suicides occurred in 2010 at various Foxconn facilities in China, primarily in Shenzhen,
Guangdong province. Reports indicated a series of worker suicides by jumping from buildings within the
Foxconn campus.

THE EVENT UNFOLD

Between January and November 2010, a wave of suicides and attempted suicides rocked the Foxconn
facilities. Workers tragically jumped from the upper floors of factory buildings, sparking concerns
regarding working conditions and the well-being of employees.
STORIES OF VICTIMS
1. Yu worked as a screen inspector, ensuring they remained free from scratches. Her day typically
started at 6:30 a.m., followed by an unpaid meeting at 7:20 a.m., and work commenced 20
minutes later. Lunch was scheduled for 11 a.m., and she often skipped dinner to continue working
until 7:40 p.m., resulting in 12-hour shifts. Engineers timed tasks, increasing targets for those
meeting quotas, with no rest permitted for those falling short. Conversation was prohibited in the
workshop. Living in a company dormitory, Yu struggled to form connections due to constantly
changing shifts and linguistic barriers with roommates from various parts of China. Despite hopes
of overcoming these barriers with time, the factory remained a place of isolation. At the end of
her first month, Yu encountered an administrative error, leaving her unpaid. Despite efforts to
resolve the issue, she received no assistance, forcing her to travel to another factory of 130,000
people to locate her wage card. With her second-hand cell phone broken and no financial support,
Yu felt isolated and desperate, leading to her tragic decision to jump from her dormitory window.
Due to her resulting injuries, Yu is unable to continue working as a migrant or farm worker.
Although she returned to her family in the countryside, she faced challenges. However, she has
managed to acquire basic skills like personal grooming and has begun weaving slippers to earn a
modest income.
2. On January 23, a 19-year-old worker named Ma Xiangqian was found dead outside his dormitory
at a Foxconn factory in Shenzhen. Police ruled it a suicide. Ma had been working long hours,
including excessive overtime, and was demoted after a dispute with his supervisor. His family,
including his sister who also worked at Foxconn, described the job as abusive. Ma's pay was
equivalent to $1 per hour, despite working 286 hours in the month before his death.
3. The 23-year-old man fell to his death at Foxconn's Longhua factory in Shenzhen on Wednesday
night, the state news agency Xinhua reported. The news came hours after the corporation's boss
said he feared there could be more deaths.

CASUALTIES
By year's end, at least fourteen Foxconn workers had taken their own lives, and a few more had tried but
failed. The number and severity of the suicides sparked examinations of Foxconn's labour policies and
sparked worries about the general problem of worker wellbeing in China's manufacturing sector.
REASON OF DISASTER/REASON PEOPLE FORCE TO COMMIT SUICIDE
A. Harsh Working Conditions
 Foxconn's factories demanded long hours and operated under stressful conditions, leading many
workers to feel exhausted and overwhelmed.
 The fast-paced production schedules and strict management practices intensified the pressure on
employees, making the work environment challenging.
B. Low Wages
 Despite the extensive working hours, the wages provided to employees were notably low,
particularly when considering the high cost of living in certain regions of China.
 This financial strain likely contributed to feelings of hopelessness and despair among workers,
adding to their stress.
C. Strict Management Practices
 Foxconn enforced stringent disciplinary measures and implemented intense supervision, creating
a tense atmosphere for its workforce.
 These management practices may have fostered a sense of isolation and powerlessness among
employees, further exacerbating their mental strain.
D. Lack of Social Support
 Many Foxconn workers hailed from rural areas and migrated to urban centres for employment,
leaving behind their families and support networks.
 The absence of social support systems and the feeling of disconnection from their communities
likely intensified feelings of loneliness and depression among some employees.
E. Poor Mental Health Support
 Reports indicated that Foxconn lacked adequate mental health support services for its employees.
 This deficiency meant that workers grappling with mental health issues did not receive the
necessary assistance and support, potentially worsening their condition.
PROTESTS
1. Protests at Foxconn Headquarters in Hong Kong:
 Students & Scholars Against Corporate Misbehaviour (SACOM) held a protest in the lobby of
Foxconn's Hong Kong headquarters in May 2010.
 Around 25 protestors laid mannequins to rest and conducted funeral rites.
 The spokesperson informed the media and onlookers about the protest's purpose, citing the high
death rate at Foxconn and an abnormal number of worker suicides over the past five months.
 Activists from the Hong Kong Confederation of Trade Unions were also present, holding signs
criticizing Foxconn and burning cardboard cutouts resembling iPhones.
2. Protests in Taipei:
 The family of one of the deceased workers, Ma Xianqian, protested outside the Foxconn factory.
 On May 28, 2010, demonstrators protested outside Hon Hai's Taipei headquarters, laying flowers
for those who had died at the Foxconn plant.
 Taiwanese unions and labour activists joined the protest, displaying banners criticizing the
exploitation of workers for profit and the toll it takes on their physical and mental health.
3. Protest at a Hong Kong Apple Store:
 On June 8, 2010, the date of Foxconn's Annual General Meeting, student protesters from
SACOM, Hong Kong labour unions, and rights groups demonstrated outside a Hong Kong Apple
store.
4. Protest in San Francisco.
 On June 17, 2010, a small group of young organizers picketed at an Apple store in San Francisco.
 The protesters carried placards showing the names and ages of the deceased workers, highlighting
the human cost of the situation.

STEP TAKEN BY THE FOXCCON AFTER THIS INCIDENT

1. Wage Increase: Foxconn raised the pay for its workers in the Shenzhen factory by a significant
amount.
2. Suicide Prevention Measures: The company installed nets around the buildings to prevent
people from jumping off.
3. Buddhist Monks: They brought in Buddhist monks to conduct prayer sessions, which were
meant to offer spiritual support to the workers.
4. No-Suicide Pledges: Employees were asked to sign pledges promising not to harm themselves.
5. Legally binding Documents: Workers had to sign papers that legally bound them and their
families from suing Foxconn in case of injury, death, or suicide.
REFERENCES
1. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Foxconn
2. BBC News. "Q&A: Foxconn suicides." [Link](https://www.bbc.com/news/10137534)
3. The Guardian. "Foxconn Suicides: A String of factory deaths shrouded in secrecy." [Link]
(https://www.theguardian.com/technology/2010/may/07/foxconn-china)
4. CNN. "Foxconn suicides highlight stresses faced by Chinese workers."
[Link](https://www.cnn.com/2010/WORLD/asiapcf/05/28/china.foxconn.suicides/
index.html)
5. https://www.cbsnews.com/news/what-happened-after-the-foxconn-suicides/
6. https://www.nytimes.com/2010/06/07/business/global/07suicide.html
7. . https://www.theguardian.com/world/2010/may/27/foxconn-suicide-tenth-iphone-china.
https://www.theguardian.com/world/2010/may/27/foxconn-suicide-tenth-iphone-china
8. Chang, L. (2010). “Workers' suicides at Foxconn and the moral crisis of Chinese society.” China
Perspectives, 2010/4, 60–67.
9. Duhigg, C., & Barboza, D. (2012). "In China, human costs are built into an iPad."
The New York Times. Retrieved from
https://www.nytimes.com/2012/01/26/business/ieconomy-apples-ipad-and-the-
human-costs-for-workers-in-china.html
10. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Foxconn_suicides#:~:text=In%20response%20to%20the
%20suicides,to%20sign%20no%2Dsuicide%20pledges.