China: Riot at iPhone factory

Paramilitary militia have been called in to maintain order after a crowd of 2,000 rioted at a Foxconn factory in northern China that makes iPhone 5 components for Apple.

Images of the riot at the iPhone factory that injured 40 people - Photo: micgadget

According to the Telegraph, about 40 people were hospitalized in the riot that broke out at around 11pm on September 24 at the factory. The incident originated from a dispute between factory workers and security guards, causing thousands of people to skip their shifts and join protests against the factory's approximately 1,500 security guards.

It took police four hours to restore order, according to a statement from Foxconn, the owner of the factory in Shanxi province. The factory, which employs 79,000 people, was closed on the morning of September 25, with at least 35 police and militia vehicles parked outside.

“The cause of the incident is under investigation by the authorities and we are cooperating closely with the authorities as they proceed,” Foxconn said. The factory has had problems in the past with a worker protest in March demanding higher wages.

According to Tuoi Tre - DT