Several reports have quoted the statement of one of its officials WeChat adding that the “closed loop” system at the Zhengzhou facility would be phased out. The system forced factory workers to stay in their dormitories to prevent the spread of the coronavirus. The end of the sanctions comes about a week after China began easing COVID-19 restrictions.
no free lunch at foxconn
Foxconn’s announcement reportedly mentioned that it would not provide free meals to workers as factory cafeterias reopen. The cost of food will be deducted from the salaries of the employees as usual.
Foxconn will also provide a subsidy of 15 Chinese yuan per day to factory workers from December 16 to December 31. The employees who are infected and are in quarantine in their quarters will still get free food.
Protest at Foxconn iPhone factory
In October, thousands of workers climbed over fences and walked out of the factory after complaining of unsafe working conditions and virus outbreaks. At the time, Foxconn reportedly offered higher wages to retain the workers.
However, a few days later, protests broke out at the factory and workers complained that Foxconn had changed the terms of wages offered to attract them to the factory. The Taiwan-based company has since apologized and is trying to rebuild its workforce.
China is seeing an increase in COVID cases even as the government has lifted many of the draconian “zero-COVID” restrictions. The easing of restrictions means that people can now travel on public transport and do not have to undergo repeated COVID-19 tests. People who test positive for the virus are isolated at home if they have only mild or no symptoms.