Foxconn Tech Group raises wages up to 25%

FOXCONN Technology Group said yesterday that it has raised wages by up to 25 percent in the second major salary hike in less than two years, as the world's largest electronics contract manufacturer comes under intensive scrutiny after a spate of suicides.

Foxconn employs about 1 million workers at its massive plants in China that are run with military-like discipline. The workers assemble iPhones and iPads for Apple Inc, Xbox video game consoles for Microsoft Corp, and computers for Dell and Hewlett-Packard.

Workers at Foxconn now receive between 1,800 yuan (US$285) and 2,500 yuan per month following the raises that became effective on February 1, the company said.

Foxconn is also taking measures to limit workers' total hours, and raises come as compensation for reduced overtime, company spokesman Simon Hsing said.

The news came as the US Fair Labor Association is inspecting Apple's Chinese suppliers over labor practices.

Foxconn said it is cooperating with the US inspectors, pledging again to provide workers "a safe and fair work environment."

In 2010, worker suicides at a Foxconn complex in Shenzhen drew attention to the stress young workers face.

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