Foxconn resolves some pay disputes

CHINESE SWEATSHOP Foxconn has settled pay disputes with some of its workers, after 300 Xbox assemblers threatened to kill themselves.

The factory operator, which makes electronics hardware for Apple, Microsoft and HP, released a statement in which it said it settled grievances with some of those 300 workers and that they will be returning to work.

The New York Times reports that all but 45 workers have returned to work after discussions with the company and the local government. Those 45 have resigned. We have asked Foxconn to confirm the report.

Earlier this week Microsoft responded to questions about the problems and said it conducted its own investigation of the situation.

"Microsoft is one of many companies that contracts with Foxconn to manufacture hardware. Upon learning of the labor protest in Wuhan, we immediately conducted an independent investigation of this issue," it said in a statement that seems to confirm the Foxconn announcement.

"Foxconn offered the workers the option of being transferred to alternative production lines or resigning and receiving all salary and bonuses due, according to length of service. After the protest, the majority of workers chose to return to work. A smaller portion of those employees elected to resign." µ