Workers factory Apple supplier in China revolt after strict corona rules

Employees of Apple supplier Quanta Computer in Shanghai are starting to revolt against the strict lockdown measures. Tens of thousands of workers have been trapped in and around the factory for months.

The Quanta factory has yet to adhere to the ‘closed loop’ rule that requires workers to sleep in the factory or in nearby accommodations, say anonymous data subjects against Bloomberg† The living conditions are said to be so bad that there are uprisings against the management and guards. Earlier this month popped up on social media images of a storming of a manager’s accommodation because the food was in danger of running out. For the time being, there would be mainly workers who have been cured of covid-19; it would be preferable not to use employees who have tested negative, say those involved.

Not much is known about the consequences of the riots in the factory on the production of goods and for the employees concerned. Bloomberg does report that Apple, Quanta’s largest customer, could lose up to $8 billion in revenue due to the situation in China.

The Chinese government announced a new lockdown at the beginning of March due to an increase in the number of corona infections. In an effort to keep the economy running, a separate rule was devised for factories like Quanta’s; if workers remain alone in and around the factories, the production of products can theoretically continue to a limited extent. There is no end in sight to the new lockdowns.