Customers visit the Apple Store in New York City's Grand Central Station. Credit: Reuters/Brendan McDermid
Apple’s main manufacturing partner, Foxconn, which faced criticism over inhumane working conditions at its suppliers’ plants in China, will now increase workers’ salaries by up to 25 percent.
The significant pay increase is the second for Foxconn workers in less than two years and means
salaries will reach between 180 and 250 pounds per month.
Foxconn, the world’s largest electronics manufacturer, in Shenzen and Chengdu Provience, said the rise would compensate workers for cuts in overtime, made as part of efforts to reduce overall working hours, The Telegraph reports.
Apple has been accused of benefiting from Foxconn’s use of low-paid workers in tough conditions.
The New York Times ran a series of articles highlighting long hours, strict discipline and dangerous practices at Foxconn.
In response to growing criticism over conditions at Apple’s factories, the tech giant recently announced that it has asked a charity firm Fair Labor Association (FLA) to conduct “special voluntary audits” of several facilities that manufacture iPhones, iPads and other products.
“We believe that workers everywhere have the right to a safe and fair work environment, which is why we’ve asked the FLA to independently assess the performance of our largest suppliers,” Tim Cook, Apple’s CEO said.