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Taiwanese electronics manufacturer Foxconn Technology, a supplier of Apple iPhones and iPads, has been criticised by China's official trade union for overworking its staff.

An official with the All-China Federation of Trade Unions criticised the company for making staff regularly exceed the mainland's legal limit of 40 hours per week, in remarks that echoed the worldwide condemnation the company faced in 2010, when a spate of suicides by factory staff prompted criticisms that it was overworking its employees.

But Foxconn said it followed a strict policy of ensuring that employees who worked overtime did so voluntarily and could receive the mandatory minimum of at least one rest day per week.

In Beijing on Monday, Guo Jun, director of the federation's Legal Work Department, condemned some private companies and small- to medium-sized businesses for making staff work more than 10 hours a day without giving them statutory holidays or paid leave.

He mentioned Foxconn - the world's largest producer of contract electronics - saying that employees who worked overtime on a long-term basis were susceptible to physiological problems that led to premature deaths, including from suicide.

"Many companies could learn from Foxconn - that from overworking staff, the company has gained greater profits and become a Fortune 500 member," Guo said, sarcastically.

Demand for Apple's new iPhones featuring larger displays has boomed since the American technology giant launched the models in September.

Apple chief executive officer Tim Cook reportedly told analysts last month the volume of iPhone sales last quarter was "staggering" and "hard to comprehend". At 74.5 million iPhones sold, it was a tall order even for big suppliers like Foxconn to meet.

In a statement in English, Foxconn said: "All overtime work is also compensated at mandated rates that are higher than standard working hours."

It added that, like all other manufacturing companies, Foxconn was "continuously challenged" by employees' desire to work overtime to increase their income.

It said it provided professional counselling and other support services for its employees 24 hours a day and seven days a week to help them address any work-related or personal challenges.

"The record shows that these services are working and they are saving lives each and every day."

The company's statement in Chinese, carried by major news websites including Sina and Tencent, dealt with Guo's "surprising" remarks in an even more direct manner.

"Mr Guo Jun has never come to any of our factories … throwing out this conclusion, it's hard to convince anyone," it said.

Chang Kai, a professor at Renmin University's labour and human resources school, said: "It's a good thing that the ACFTU showed their attitude, but it's just the first step.

"Next, the union should suggest solutions," Chang said.

"Foxconn doesn't have a union chosen by workers at all."

This article appeared in the South China Morning Post print edition as: iPhone supplier staff feel the strain

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