This month, Apple and its major supplier, Foxconn, agreed with the Fair Labor Association (FLA) to improve working conditions for employees after an audit revealed suspected employment law violations.  The violations, which occurred in Foxconn factories in China, included excessive working hours, unpaid overtime, and inadequate safety conditions.  FLA secured a commitment from both Apple and Foxconn to reduce working hours, protect employees’ pay, and improve health and safety conditions.

“If implemented, these commitments will significantly improve the lives of more than 1.2 million Foxconn employees and set a new standard for Chinese factories,” said Auret van Heerden, President and CEO of the FLA.

The new agreement initiated by FLA with Apple and Foxconn will most likely become a benchmark in the global technology industry.  Apple was the first technology company to join FLA in January, after Apple received criticism about the working conditions at Foxconn.   Foxconn will now have to hire thousands of additional employees in order to compensate for lost working hours, and will also have to provide greater housing and canteen capacity to its workers.

“We appreciate the work the FLA has done to assess conditions at Foxconn and we fully support their recommendations.  We think empowering workers and helping them understand their rights is essential,” said a representative from Apple in a written response to the FLA’s audit.

The Employment Law Group® law firm has an extensive nationwide wage and hour practice representing employees whose rights have been violated, including nonpayment of wages and denial of overtime pay.