Foxconn Holds Anti-Suicide Rally for Employees
Foxconn held an anti-suicide rally at its Shenzhen plant in an effort to boost morale.
Over the last few months, Foxconn has taken various different steps to try and put a stop to the spate of suicides that have plagued the company over the last few months. The Chinese electronics manufacturer has hired monks, exorcists and counselors; erected nets to catch jumpers; asked staff to sign no-suicide contracts and twice raised the salaries of employees. This week the company is adding "no-suicide rally" to that list.
The Independent reports that Foxconn yesterday held a rally for to boost morale at the branch most affected by the suicide cluster. The company dished out tshirts, pom-poms and superhero and cheerleader costumes, during a rally in a stadium in Foxconn's Shenzhen industrial park. The stadium was decorated with colorful banners bearing the words "Treasure your life, love your family."
"In the past, from the time we started work until when we finished, we would not really have a break. But now we've been given time to rest," the Independent quotes 18-year-old Huang Jun as saying.
The newspaper also cites Louis Woo, special assistant to Foxconn founder Terry Gou, who says the company will be adding to it's already 920,000 strong workforce, increasing it to 1.3 million workers across 16 factories sometime next year.
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This is all well and good, but if they gave me a pink t-shirtr i think i would be looking to jump off some tall building
For a rally they don't look very happy... especially the guy on the left - it must be because of the hair
That hair reminds me of "Pedro" on the film "Napolean Dynamite" ... maybe his shirt should read "Vote for Ling Long"
Its easy to criticise Foxconn for the draconian working conditions etc. but you gotta' say they've made some effort recently and it must now be a lot better than it was (positive hat on) - Well done and keep striving to value your workers I say!
Instead of paying employees more, they waste the money on safety nets and pink t-shirts. Because lack of those was the reason they jumped....?
At least they're finally dealing with the core issue: too long working hours due to staff shortage and high demand. If people get the ability to take a break and get enough sleep and free time, they'll look a lot better at their lives...
I guess those suicides actually made a difference. Seems one of the few times when being a martyr for a cause (If that was an intentional part of their decision) has actually brought about change.
I just wish it hadn't come to that.