A Foxconn branch based in Taiwan has recently given a report on a wage hike that occurred in ShenZhen where the annual salary of a junior worker had risen to 1,800 yuan (€216), with the possibility that it might even escalate further to 2,200 yuan. This is a significant rise given that it used to be only 900 yuan per month.

The last time Foxconn experienced an increase in wages was in 2010, where the pay of its Chinese employees went up by 30%.

Following the reports pertaining to Apple’s questionable work ethics and working conditions, as well as multiple incidents of suicides, fatal accidents and deaths in the recent years, the Cupertino, California based tech giant has fallen under heavy controversy.

Many workers would often complain of the inadequate compensation in exchange for their otherwise demanding work load, while experiencing sheer frustration and stress that was mostly attributed to boredom, alienation and exhaustion.

In a recent inspection conducted by a U.S. non-profit labor group over said working conditions, only then did Apple, Inc. finally comply to give Shenzhen workers their well deserved dues.

Last month the New York Times published an investigation into working practices at Apple suppliers’ plants in China that documented poor health and safety conditions and long working hours.

As such, Apple has responded that a Washington DC-based Fair Labor Association would monitor conditions at supplier plants beginning on Feb 14.

“As a top manufacturing company in China, the basic salary of junior workers in all of Foxconn’s China factories is already far higher than the minimum wage set by all local governments,” a Foxconn statement said.

“We will provide more training opportunities and learning time, and will continuously enhance technology, efficiency and salary, so as to set a good example for the Chinese manufacturing industry.”

Last night, an ABC show revealed how on a quiet day, 3,000 prospective employees lingered outside the factory in the hope of earning just $1.78 (€1.34) an hour.

Regardless, analysts have stated that compared to the conditions in Foxconn’s working facilities, garment factories and certain other business establishments have proven to be much worse otherwise.

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