Foxconn gets snared in a bribery probe

CHINESE HARDWARE ASSEMBLER Foxconn is embroiled in a probe into whether some of its workers have been involved in bribery.

Foxconn has admitted that it is working with law enforcement to look into allegations of bribery, but doesn't want to say much about it.

In an emailed statement it said, "We can confirm that we are working with law enforcement officials who we brought in to work with our own internal audit team as part of an investigation into allegations against a number of Foxconn employees related to illegal payments from supply chain partners. Since the matter is under investigation, we are not able to comment further.

"However, we can say that the integrity of our employees is something we take very seriously and any employees found guilty of any illegal actions or violations of our company's Code of Conduct will be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law."

Foxconn, of course, is the company behind the Made in China note on the back of many pieces of electronics hardware. It is where Apple goes to have its iPads and iPhones assembled, and has been the scene of a lot more controversy than any factory business would like.

Last year it was exposed by an undercover journalist, had to cope with striking workers, dealt with worker suicides, and built the iPad Mini.

Here, with regard to the bribery allegations, it said that it is working towards finding solutions. "We are also carrying out a full review of our policies and practices to identify steps we can take to strengthen such measures to further mitigate against such actions," added the statement.

Foxconn employs some 1.2 million workers. µ