Sharp’s parent has workers fleeing town
Bloomberg News is reporting that cities in central China hastily drew up plans to isolate migrant workers fleeing to their hometowns from a Foxconn plant in Zhengzhou city, fearing the returnees may trigger coronavirus outbreaks.
- Foxconn, aka Hon Hai Precision, is owner of Sharp, operates plant to build Apple products.
- Zhengzhou reported 167 locally transmitted COVID-19 cases in the 7 days to Oct. 29, up from 97 infections in the prior 7 day period.
- Foxconn has about 300,000 workers in Zhengzhou and has not disclosed the number of infected workers. (some sources claim 20,000 workers may be infected)
- Under China's ultra-strict zero-COVID policies, localities are mandated to act swiftly to quell any outbreaks, with measures that could include full-scale lockdowns
- Foxconn banned all dining-in at canteens and required workers to take their meals in their dormitories, but assured that production was normal.
- Photographs and videos circulating widely on Chinese social media since Saturday showed Foxconn workers trekking across fields in the day and along roads at night.
- "Some people were walking amid wheat fields with their luggage, blankets and quilts. I couldn't help but feel sad."