Foxconn breaks silence about recent staff deaths

Representatives from Foxconn, a Taiwan-based manufacturer for Apple Corporation, recently released a statement about a rash of employee deaths – many of which were apparently suicides – in factory dormitories. In this year alone, six Foxconn staff have died or been injured.

The iPhone manufacturer's Media Officer Liu Kun said that the company did not disclose the cause of death of some employees out of respect for the deceased and their families.

Liu said that Foxconn has a complete and transparent mechanism in place to respond to emergencies. This policy includes assistance to family members, cooperation with police and communication with the media and the public, he said.

For events of public concern, the company will hold a press conference to provide available information. It will notify the police immediately after incidents happen and will provide material and spiritual help to the families of the deceased. To Foxconn, taking an active approach to dealing with each emergency is the bottom line, Liu said.

Liu said it is not possible to investigate the causes of all the incidents at once. Only through the reflection of witnesses and staff is it possible to get understanding of a particular incident over time. Not all information can be released to the media and the public immediately, he said.

Each and every unexpected event involves a variety of factors. However, one common factor is the site of the accident. A young life ended here and the company will not shirk its responsibility, Liu said. However, some information can not be published in order to respect the privacy of the deceased and their families, he said.

Foxconn employee death record (as of April 12, 2010)

April 7, 2010 two Foxconn employees die, after the investigation, the police rule out homicide and it is not a criminal case.

April 6, 2010 a female employee jumps from a Foxconn dormitory, she is still in hospital.

March 29, 2010 a male employee falls dead in Longhua Science Park.

March 17, 2010 a female worker jumps from a dormitory building.

March 2010 a man falls from the fifth floor.

Jan. 23, 2010 19-year-old staff dies in a dormitory of the training center at Foxconn.

By People's Daily Online