Foxconn Technology said in a statement on
one of its official WeChat social media accounts that it would end the
so-called “closed loop” system at the facility in Zhengzhou, central China,
that required workers to stay in their workplaces and dormitories to prevent
the spread of coronavirus infections.
The move announced Wednesday came about a
week after China began easing harsh COVID-19 curbs despite signs the number of
infections is rising.
Following a spate of protests across the
country last month many “zero-COVID” restrictions were lifted. That means
people no longer need to take frequent COVID-19 tests to travel on public
transport. If they do test positive for the virus, they can isolate at home if
they have only mild or no symptoms instead of being sent to a quarantine
center.
Chinese President Xi Jinping's government
is still officially committed to stopping virus transmission. But the
government's latest moves suggest authorities will tolerate more infections
without quarantines or shutting down travel or businesses.
Thousands of workers at the huge factory in
Zhengzhou walked out in late October over complaints of unsafe working
conditions — such as food shortages due to closed cafeterias — and a virus
outbreak at the plant.
The last quarter of the year is typically a
busy season for companies like Foxconn as they ramp up production ahead of the
end of year holiday rush. Apple has warned that iPhone 14 deliveries would be
delayed due to manufacturing disruptions.
Foxconn, headquartered in New Taipei City,
Taiwan, has been trying to rebuild its workforce after the massive walkout in
late October. The company then ended up apologizing after a pay dispute
triggered protests by workers who said Foxconn had changed the terms of wages
offered to attract them to the factory.
In its announcement, the company said it
would no longer provide free meals to workers because factory cafeterias would
reopen. Instead, meal expenses will be deducted from employees' wages as usual,
though workers who must quarantine after testing positive for the virus will
still get free meals.