Microsoft to investigate 'mass suicide threat' at Chinese factory

Published Jan 12 2012, 10:36 GMT  |  By Mark Langshaw

Microsoft has pledged to evaluate working conditions at one of its Chinese factories following an alleged mass suicide threat from workers.

More than 300 employees at the Foxconn factory in Wuhan, which manufacturers Xbox 360 consoles, threatened to throw themselves off a building following a pay dispute.

Reports from China claim that staff at the factory had requested a pay rise, but were told that they could remain in their posts with the same salary or leave with a compensation package. When several opted to leave with the pay-off, the offer was withdrawn.

The affected employees took to the roof of the building in protest, and production at the plant was halted. The city's mayor later intervened and talked the group down.

"Microsoft takes working conditions in the factories that manufacture its products very seriously, and we are currently investigating this issue" Microsoft told Sky News.

"We have a stringent vendor code of conduct that spells out our expectations, and we monitor working conditions closely on an ongoing basis and address issues as they emerge.

"Microsoft is committed to the fair treatment and safety of workers employed by our vendors, and to ensuring conformance with Microsoft policy."

The Foxconn factory was struck by controversy in 2010, when more than a dozen of its workers committed suicide. An explosion at another of its plants resulted in the death of at least two workers last year.

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