China Labor Watch (CLW) has released a new investigative report titled Apple’s Dependence on China in Its Supply Chain: An Investigation of Foxconn Zhengzhou, revealing serious labor rights violations at Apple’s largest iPhone production site.
Photo: Photo: “Foxconn Opens New Global Business HQ in China’s Zhengzhou” from Yicai Global News, 2023.The investigation, conducted between March and September 2025, uncovered that over 150,000 to 200,000 workers were employed at Foxconn’s Zhengzhou factory during peak season, with more than half classified as dispatch workers—five times the legal limit under Chinese law.
Among the report’s key findings were exploitative wage systems, excessive overtime, discriminatory hiring practices, and unsafe working conditions. Dispatch workers earned around 25 RMB per hour, but payment was split, often resulting in unpaid labor for up to two months if workers resigned before payday. Student workers, earning only 12 RMB per hour, were subjected to night shifts and forced overtime, sometimes linked to graduation requirements.
Investigators also documented 60–75-hour workweeks, far exceeding China’s legal maximum, as well as open recruitment discrimination against ethnic minorities such as Uyghur, Tibetan, Hui, and Yi applicants. Female and pregnant applicants were also routinely excluded. Workers were denied benefits such as social insurance and maternity leave, and many faced exposure to toxic chemicals like toluene and xylene without proper protective equipment.
Harassment, intimidation, and surveillance were reportedly widespread. Workers who spoke out faced retaliation, including threats and the release of personal information online.
CLW noted that many of these abuses have persisted, or worsened, since its last report in 2019. Despite Foxconn’s claim of undergoing a Responsible Business Alliance audit in April 2025, transparency remains lacking, as the RBA has not responded to CLW’s inquiries.
“While Apple boasts of massive investments in the U.S., its supply chain in China continues to rely on exploitative and unlawful labor practices,” said CLW Executive Director Li Qiang. “Without real accountability, Apple’s global production remains built on the backs of precarious and unprotected workers.”
CLW urged Apple and Foxconn to immediately comply with Chinese labor laws, reduce dispatch worker ratios, end coercive student labor schemes, provide full social insurance and paid leave, and establish independent worker grievance mechanisms.
The full report underscores that Apple’s global success continues to be shadowed by systemic labor exploitation in its supply chain and calls into question the credibility of its ethical sourcing commitments.
The full report is available here.
