Auditor finds 'tonnes of issues' at Apple's manufacturer Foxconn

(Bloomberg) The Fair Labour Association, a watchdog monitoring working conditions at makers of Apple products, has uncovered “tonnes of issues” that need to be addressed at a Foxconn Technology Group plant in Shenzhen, China, FLA chief executive officer Auret van Heerden said.

Van Heerden made the comments in a telephone interview after a multiday inspection of the factory. Apple, the first technology company to join the FLA, said on February 13 that it asked the Washington-based nonprofit organisation to inspect plants owned by three of its largest manufacturing partners.

“We're finding tonnes of issues,” van Heerden said en route to a meeting where FLA inspectors were scheduled to present preliminary findings to Foxconn management. “I believe we're going to see some very significant announcements in the near future.”

He declined to elaborate on the findings. The FLA plans to release more information about its inspection in the coming weeks. By then, the company will have had a chance to contest or agree to steps to prevent further violations.

“Foxconn is cooperating fully with this audit and we will review and act on all findings and recommendations,” Foxconn said in an emailed statement. “This is a very professional and thorough review and any deficiencies the FLA might find in the implementation of customer or Foxconn policies will be addressed.”

Steve Dowling, a spokesman for Cupertino, California-based Apple, referred to the company's February 13 statement about the audits.

Hard-to-find violations

Van Heerden said in an interview with Reuters published February 15 that Foxconn's plants were “first class”. He said he was surprised “how tranquil it is compared with a garment factory”.

Heather White, the founder of Verite, another monitoring group, said that many alleged violations -- say, forced overtime or use of certain toxic chemicals -- can be hard to detect.

“Those are not things one would see on a hosted tour that was planned in advance,” she said.

Van Heerden said the comments reflecteAir Jordan 4 IV Retro 30TH