Chinese iPhone Factory Bans 300,000 Workers from Using Cafeteria

Meals to be taken in individual dorm rooms, dorm use recommended for external residents
Quarantine measures for normal iPhone14 production...some worker dissatisfaction remains

[Asia Economy Senior Reporter Cho Young-shin] Foxconn (Hon Hai Precision Industry), the Apple iPhone assembler, has banned workers at its Zhengzhou factory in Henan Province from using the cafeteria.

[Image source=Reuters Yonhap News]

The South China Morning Post (SCMP) reported on the 21st that Foxconn's Zhengzhou factory prohibited workers from using the cafeteria to prevent infection as COVID-19 spread in Zhengzhou City. Henan Province health authorities partially locked down parts of the city due to the COVID-19 outbreak.

Foxconn's Zhengzhou factory is the world's largest iPhone production plant, employing 300,000 workers.

According to SCMP, Foxconn has required all meals to be eaten in individual dormitory rooms instead of the cafeteria since the 19th. Foxconn provides workers with three free meals a day.

Foxconn also mandated that workers commute only via designated routes starting this week. All entrances except those predetermined have been closed.

Additionally, SCMP added that workers living offsite were advised to use the dormitories.

Foxconn stated that the Zhengzhou factory is currently operating normally without any impact from COVID-19.

SCMP explained that Foxconn’s measures reflect the Chinese government’s policy to balance economic growth and the zero-COVID policy. It is also aimed at ensuring the normal production of Apple’s new iPhone 14 model.

However, SCMP noted that there is considerable worker dissatisfaction with Foxconn’s cafeteria ban and other quarantine measures.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.