Apple freezes new biz for iPhone assembler Pegatron on China labour abuse

Pegatron is one of just a handful of partners Apple relies on globally to assemble marquee products such as the iPhone

Apple suspended new business with iPhone assembler Pegatron after discovering labour violations at a student workers’ program, taking strong action to clean up a Chinese-based production chain long accused of worker abuse.

The Cupertino, California-based technology giant said it discovered several weeks ago that the Taiwanese manufacturer misclassified student workers and allowed some to work nights and overtime in violation of Apple’s Supplier Code of Conduct. Employees then “went to extraordinary lengths” to cover up the violations. It’s since placed its partner on probation until corrective action is completed, the company said.

Pegatron is one of just a handful of partners Apple