Apple Investigates Foxconn iPhone 17 Factory Amid Reports of Harsh Working Conditions
Beijing, September 2025 — Apple has launched an investigation following reports that workers at Foxconn’s Zhengzhou facility, China, faced difficult conditions while producing the company’s iPhone 17. The allegations, highlighted in a report by China Labour Watch, detail wage issues, excessive overtime, and other labor violations during the ramp-up for Apple’s latest smartphone lineup.
Allegations at Zhengzhou Facility
The report, covering the period from March to September, claims that many workers endured unpaid wages, forced overtime, coercive night shifts, and other labor infractions. A significant portion of Foxconn’s workforce was reportedly made up of temporary “dispatch” staff, exceeding China’s legal limits.
Bloomberg noted that temporary workers often had wages withheld, especially if they resigned before a designated cutoff date, leaving them without weeks of overtime pay. Many employees logged 60–75 hours a week, surpassing China’s legal maximum and Apple’s own 60-hour cap. Extended hours were allegedly enforced through pressure and intimidation.
The report also highlighted that students were coerced into night shifts for low pay, some ethnic groups were reportedly excluded from hiring, and workers were exposed to unsafe chemicals without proper protective gear. Employees who voiced complaints were allegedly subjected to harassment or intimidation. China Labour Watch suggested that Apple representatives were aware of the conditions, as they were present at the site.
Apple’s Response
In a statement, Apple reaffirmed its commitment to labor rights and ethical practices:
“Our suppliers are required to provide safe working conditions, treat workers with dignity and respect, act fairly and ethically, and use environmentally responsible practices wherever they make products or perform services for Apple.”
The company added that third-party audits are conducted regularly and that teams were immediately deployed to investigate the reported issues.
About the Zhengzhou Plant
The Zhengzhou facility, sometimes called “iPhone City”, employed between 150,000 and 200,000 workers during the reported period, with temporary staff accounting for over half the workforce — five times above the legal limit, according to China Labour Watch. While improvements in total overtime were noted compared to a 2019 investigation, peak production periods continue to place heavy pressure on workers.
Diversifying Manufacturing
Apple has been actively diversifying its manufacturing base to reduce reliance on China. Earlier this year, the company expanded iPhone production in India, aiming to meet most US demand and reduce the impact of tariffs on Chinese exports. This move is part of a broader strategy to spread supply chain risk while maintaining production efficiency.
The company monitors working hours and conducts audits for over 1.4 million supplier employees globally. Its 2025 supply chain report highlighted ten core violations, nine related to working hour reporting errors and one concerning machine safety. Apple maintains that it is continuously working to improve labor conditions and expects its suppliers to uphold strict ethical standards.
