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Document Reveals Overwork, Wage Retention, and Excessive Temporary Workers in the “iPhone City”.
A report from China Labor Watch revealed that iPhone 17 workers faced shifts of up to 75 hours a week at the Foxconn facility in Zhengzhou, known as the “iPhone city”. The document, released by O Globo, pointed out violations such as excessive temporary workers, mandatory night shifts, and wage retention.
The factory, which employed between 150,000 and 200,000 people, allegedly had more than half of its workers hired on a temporary basis, exceeding the legal limit in China by more than five times.
In addition to the excessive work hours beyond what is allowed by local legislation and Apple’s standards (60 hours), intimidation and surveillance practices against those questioning the working conditions were reported.
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Long Hours and Questionable Practices
The report describes that iPhone 17 workers worked an average of 60 to 75 hours a week, well above the permitted amount. Foxconn’s salary structure was also criticized, as part of the payment was withheld until the following month.
As a result, anyone resigning before the deadline could lose overtime hours and benefits already earned.
Another cited point was the mandatory night shifts, without flexibility, increasing the physical and emotional pressure on employees. The investigation also highlighted reports of threats and exposure of personal data as ways to discourage protests.
Apple’s Response and Internal Audits
In response to the allegations, Apple stated it is committed to high standards of human rights and labor ethics, emphasizing that it conducts periodic third-party audits. In a statement, the company reported that over the last year, 1,500 audits and 74,000 interviews with supplier employees were conducted, with nine of the main violations linked to falsification of data regarding hours worked.
Despite the defense, the situation highlights the contradictions between the company’s public commitments and the conditions found in its supply chain. The case of Foxconn in Zhengzhou reignites the debate on the responsibility of tech giants to ensure minimum standards of dignity.
Partial Reduction of Overtime, but Abuses Remain
Compared to 2019, there was a slight reduction in overtime, when the monthly average reached 130 additional hours during peak season. However, the current load of 75 weekly hours remains beyond legal limits.
The report also highlighted that no minors were found in the production of the iPhone 17, something that had been identified in previous investigations.
Even with some incremental progress, the situation reveals a routine of overwork and structural labor violations that persists over the years.
Diversification of Production and Geopolitical Impact
Apple has been seeking to reduce its dependence on China. In 2025, the company expanded production in India, in an attempt at strategic diversification in light of trade tariffs and risks of manufacturing concentration. Still, Zhengzhou remains the epicenter of iPhone manufacturing, reinforcing Foxconn’s relevance in the company’s global model.
The allegations show that without effective oversight, pressure for deadlines and volumes may continue to fuel abusive practices, regardless of the country in which the assembly lines are located.
The report on iPhone 17 workers at Foxconn is a portrait of the complexity of Apple’s supply chain: a premium product, but with extremely high human costs behind the scenes. The question remains whether audits and corporate promises will be enough to change a reality rooted in overwork and precariousness.
And you, do you believe that consumers should demand more transparency from tech giants? Or that governments should take the lead in this oversight? Share your opinion in the comments — your viewpoint helps to broaden the debate on the limits of global production.
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