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Video: Riot At Foxconn Factory Shuts Down Large Plant Producing iPhone 5 Casing
By
John Del Signore
Published Sep 24, 2012
Modified Sep 24, 2012
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By
John Del Signore
Published Sep 24, 2012
Modified Sep 24, 2012
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Thousands of workers rioted at a Foxconn factory in the Shanxi province last night, forcing the plant to suspend operations. State-run news media claims that 5,000 police were called in to quell the riot, which resulted in some property damage and the hospitalization of some 40 workers, according to message boards monitored by Engadget. Here's video believed to depict the scene at the factory last night:
One Foxconn employee tells the Times "the disturbance began when workers started brawling with security guards, and eventually led to a huge riot involving more than 1,000 workers." And reports on Chinese social media sites indicate that a security guard struck a worker, sparking a brawl that spread to a riot.
Engadget also reports that according to a provincial website, the plant produces "magnesium alloy components for consumer electronics, heat conduction products, LED lighting products, mobile phone products and magnesium alloy automotive components." But one employee tells the Times that iPhone components are also made there, and last month it was reported that workers processed the back casing of the iPhone 5 there. That undercover report also cited the factory's harsh management and "practically compulsory" over-time work at the plant.
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apple
china
foxconn
iphone 5
riots
John Del Signore
Originally from the Albany area, John Del Signore has called NYC home since 1995. In addition to his thousands of meticulously-crafted bespoke blog posts for Gothamist, his writing has also been published in The Awl, Deadspin, The Nervous Breakdown, and performed at The Brick Theater in Brooklyn.
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Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
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