Overview

• China Labour Watch reports that during the March–September iPhone 17 ramp-up, Foxconn Zhengzhou workers faced withheld wages, 60–75 hour weeks and forced night shifts, alongside claims of unsafe chemical exposure, discrimination and intimidation.
• The watchdog says temporary dispatch hires exceeded 50% of the workforce, about five times China’s legal cap, and alleges a deferred pay system that cost some workers weeks of overtime if they resigned before a cutoff date.
• Apple says it sent teams on site and began an immediate investigation, reiterating supplier requirements on working hours and safety and pointing to regular third‑party audits across its supply chain.
• Foxconn rejects the allegations and cites compliance with independent audits in recent years, as reporters note the Zhengzhou complex remains central to iPhone production.
• CLW contrasts 2025 conditions with its 2019 findings, noting no underage workers this year but asserting core problems persist at a facility employing roughly 150,000–200,000 people during peak months as Apple expands assembly in India.