The Story of One iPhone Factory Powering Apple's Pivot to India

Now, workers at the Sriperumbudur factory are reportedly assembling the new iPhone 15, which went on sale in September. The inspection found that six workers whose job was to manually solder iPhone parts together "Were not provided with protective equipment" including safety goggles, chemical-resistant gloves, or respirators, according to a letter sent by the government inspector to Foxconn, a copy of which was reviewed by TIME. In the areas of the factory where soldering was carried out, the inspection found, the ventilation system was not sufficient to prevent "The escape and spread of toxic fumes into the working environment." That soldering process, the letter said, was "Highly hazardous to the health of workers." Six large industrial ovens used to attach tiny electrical components to iPhone circuit boards, the letter said, had not been "Tested by a competent person" before factory workers were expected to use them. The factory manager had failed to keep a register of workers in the factory or a register of their wages, the inspector claimed. The same workers complained of high production targets, as well as a system of subcontracting that in effect creates a two-tier workplace where a comparatively small number of Foxconn employees enjoy greater benefits and job security than a legion of temporary workers, hired by third-party Indian subcontractors, who also work inside the factory. With Apple keen to ramp up iPhone production in India, Foxconn is reportedly planning to build huge hostels for as many as 60,000 workers near its Sriperumbudur factory. As a result, workers at the factory are concerned that Foxconn may again require its employees to live in company-run hostels, and could revoke the 5,000-rupee housing allowance that it currently pays its workers to cover the cost of their outside accommodation, according to three workers who spoke with TIME. Meanwhile, the most expensive iPhone 14 retails for $999. The most expensive iPhone 15 retails at $1,099.