According to the European Trade Union Institute, phones are not the only export products from Foxconn that enter Europe. It seems that the company is also adapting its ‘Chinese’ work and employment strategies in European subsidiaries.
In a comparison between Chinese factories and those in Czech Republic, Turkey and Hungary, the institute found notable similarities. These include the use of dormitories for workers, the use of government-funded student interns and apprenticeships and the use of agency workers. According to the institute, there is a need for stronger institutions, better enforcement of the labour code and stronger national trade union positions in central and eastern Europe.
An overview of the findings can be found here. The full report is available here.
