A First Information Report (FIR) has been registered against 7,000 unknown individuals, including 5,000 contract workers, in connection with violence and vandalism at the iPhone maker Wistron Pvt Ltd’s facilities at its Kolar plant.
The malaise has exploded by a wage dispute. An employee who spoke to Mint said the company was defrauding workers in overtime pay, wages and had even resorted to assault.
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“The security guards have attacked us with lathi when we waited in line to mark our attendance, in the canteen,” said an employee, requesting anonymity.
Wistron is one of Apple’s global contractors and the company manufactures iPhone 7 phones and second-generation iPhone SE devices in India.
Key updates on the case so far:
Setback in Apple’s expansion plans
Apple Inc.’s effort to expand manufacturing of its products in India has run into trouble after the violence at the Kolar plant.
The company had plans to hire up to 25,000 employees by the end of 2021 in an attempt to expand its operations in India. They currently employ 12,000 people, of which 1,200 are permanent and the rest are contract employees.
The crash is part of a broader geopolitical challenge for Apple, the world’s most valuable company with a $ 2 trillion market capitalization. The Cupertino, California-based company has had its iPhones and iPads made in China by contractors such as Wistron and Hon Hai Precision Industry Co., but political tensions between China and the United States.
Apple’s investigation into violence
Apple Inc. has launched an investigation into workplace violence. “Apple is dedicated to ensuring that everyone in our supply chain is treated with dignity and respect. We have teams on the ground and we immediately launched a detailed investigation at Wistron’s Narasapura facility in India, “Apple said in a statement Monday.
The company said it is sending team members and additional auditors to the facility. “Our teams are in close contact with the local authorities and we are offering our full support to their investigation,” he added.
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FIR against strangers
Up to 7,000 people have been arrested in connection with violence and vandalism at the Wistron facility. In the FIR, the company stated that it suffered losses of more than ₹Rs 437.7 million during the December 12 violence.
Damage has been done to property, office supplies, vehicles and other things, according to the FIR registered at the Vemagal Police Station, Kolar.
The Taiwan-based company has said that the protesters are not its own workers, suggesting they may have been hired by employment agencies, although it is unclear who is responsible for paying them.
Extent of damage
Wistron Corporation has said it had suffered a loss of value ₹Rs 437.40 million. Large numbers of employees allegedly carried out arson, looting and violence at Wistron’s manufacturing plant in Narasapura over wage-related issues on Saturday.
They damaged the building, damaged vehicles, set them on fire, damaged expensive equipment, including machines and computers.
In his complaint at the Vemagal police station, the executive of the company TD Prashanth has stated that the office equipment, mobile phones, production machinery and related equipment are worth ₹Rs 412.5 million were lost.
Infrastructure value ₹10 crore, ₹60 lakh worth of cars and golf carts, smartphones and other gadgets ₹Rs 1.5 million are among those who were damaged, stolen or lost.
Company in shock
Wistron India Managing Director Sudipto Gupta said in a statement that the company was in a state of deep shock over the events at its Narasapura facility.
“We follow the law and we are supporting the authorities with their investigation. The safety and well-being of our team members is always our top priority,” Gupta said in a statement to the media.
Political parties seek investigation
Political parties in Karnataka on Sunday sought a comprehensive investigation into the violence at the Wistron plant as they raised concerns about its possible impact on the investment-friendly image of the state.
Condemning the violence, the state government has already secured the necessary actions. Leaders of the ruling BJP and the opposition Congress called the incident unfortunate and sought a detailed investigation.
“It is regrettable that the Wistron manufacturing plant has been violently attacked by agitated workers near Kolar. At a time when many companies are moving their base from China to India, these attacks give the state a bad name. I request CM BS Yediyurappa to order an investigation into this incident, “BJP National Secretary General CT Ravi tweeted.
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