Foxconn worker riot leads to arrests, damage in Chengdu
Workers in Foxconn's Chengdu factory reportedly rioted on Monday following complaints that they were treated poorly by security staff.
Workers at Foxconn's Chengdu factory started a riot earlier this week, according to reports.
According to Hong Kong-based newspaper, Ming Pao (Translate), several workers on Monday clashed with security staff at their off-site dormitory. Not long after, the issue escalated, and over 1,000 people rioted around the dormitory, according to reports. The rioters reportedly ignited firecrackers and threw a host of objects, damaging facilities.
Soon after the riot started, security staff alerted local police, which sent out officers to quell the unrest. The police presence resulted in dozens of arrests, according to reports out of the country.
Foxconn this week issued a statement on the matter, telling PC Magazine that the incident occurred off-site at a dormitory owned by third-party companies.
"We were informed by local law enforcement authorities that late Monday night, several employees of our facility in Chengdu had a disagreement with the owner of a restaurant located in that city," Foxconn told PC Magazine. "We were also informed that the employees subsequently returned to their off-campus residence, owned and managed by third-party companies, at which time a number of other residents also became involved in the disagreement and local police were called to the scene to restore order.
"Foxconn is cooperating with local law enforcement authorities on their investigation into this incident," the company said.
Ming Pao is reporting that the workers were also upset with their pay, though Foxconn has not said that's the case.
Foxconn has come under close scrutiny over the last few years about its treatment of workers across its facilities. In January, Apple requested the Fair Labor Association (FLA) audit Foxconn to ensure it was adhering to proper worker treatment. That audit resulted in the FLA finding Foxconn's workers engaged in excessive overtime and were paid too little. Foxconn agreed to reduce work hours and improve conditions following the audit.
CNET has contacted Foxconn for comment on the riot. We will update this story when we have more information.
This story has been updated throughout the morning.