Chennai Covid tests are presently underway for women workers returning to work in the Sriperumbudur- grounded iPhone manufacturing installation run by Apple supplier Foxconn outside Chennai, as the factory plans its partial reopening on Wednesday, three weeks after it was arrestment in the wake of major demurrers by its workers.
In December, around women took to the thoroughfares after over 250 Foxconn workers, generally women, suffered food poisoning in the installation dormitories. Numerous were hospitalised.
At the protesting spots, they contended that food at Foxconn’s dormitories was banal.
Farther, the toilets were considered hygienic and shy, without running water. An disquisition by NDTV reveals that numerous women avoided using toilets at these dormitories. They frequently awaited till their shift began to use washrooms at their work place rather.
Worse, up to a dozen of them were forced to partake small apartments.
NDTV visited a polytechnic hotel- turned-dormitory where Foxconn workers are being distributed new apartments. The company claims amenities have been bettered. Still, those who’ll be living in those apartments haven’t reflected on the conditions.
A woman executive help NDTV spoke to said,”I come from a original place. We’re continuing work hereafter.”When asked if the situation has bettered, she said” ask them,”pointing to her associates.
Though protesters spoke to the media last month, now numerous say that rules do not permit them to speak.
After the December demurrers exposed labour conditions at the Foxconn installation that makes the rearmost models of the iPhone, Apple, the trillion- bone company, put its contractor on exploration, demanding rapid-fire action.
In a statement released shortly after the contestation began, Apple had said,”We’ll insure our strict norms are met before the installation reopens. We’ll continue to cover conditions nearly.”
The Tamil Nadu government also told Foxconn to ameliorate amenities at its caravansaries and gain the Collector’s blessing before continuing. In a statement, Foxconn’s Hon Hai said,”It’s taken corrective action, with a rigorous monitoring system to allow workers to raise enterprises, indeed anonymously.”
“We continue to support our workers and thank them for their tolerance as we work through the advancements,”it added.
Women’s rights activist and Indian minister for women’s entrepreneurship Madhu Saran reflected on the contestation”Basic structure for women in work places is important demanded, like toilets, canteens, dorms. There needs to be regular monitoring by the government, labour and law departments.”
“The poor living conditions at Foxconn dormitories have come as a huge embarrassment to Apple too, just as for Foxconn. It’s also being seen as a palm for ordinary women workers who have brought their plight to world attention,” spectators say.
“While Foxconn would renew operations gradationally, numerous also see this as a wake-up call for other contract manufacturers working for global brands to set their house in order,” noted Ms Saran.
