Apple and Foxconn have said that they will change working conditions at their factories in China. Foxconn says that it will hire more workers, eliminate illegal overtime and improve safety in the factories. The announcement comes as a monitoring group releases a report about the factories and labor conditions within them. Experts say that improved conditions at Foxconn may have a positive effect on other employers. However, some say that the changes are not enough, and do not address important issues like wages, which will remain the same. The monitor which is releasing the report has also come under fire for its close ties with corporations. Apple says that they support Foxconn and the new procedures.
See "Apple, Foxconn set new standard for Chinese workers", Poornima Gupta and Edwin Chan, Reuters, March 29, 2012