Apple denies forced dismissals and violation of labor rights

According to the recent reports Apple denied the fact that they asked the injured workers to leave their jobs. This statement came after a scandal caused by interview of Jia Jingchuan, a 27-year-old worker who suffered from exposure to the chemical, to journalists. 

According to Jingchuan he received a call from the company asking to quit. "I got a call last week from the company asking me to leave. They promised to give me 140,000 yuan ($21,253) in compensation for my departure, but only on condition that I sign an exemption agreement, which means the company would not take any responsibility if my health worsened in the future," he said.  

He added that at least 8 workers have already left the factory.  

Apple in its Apple Supplier Responsibility 2011 Progress Report released on Tuesday admits its fault which affected 137 workers at the Suzhou facility of Wintek, manufacturing Apple's touch screens used for iPhones, iPods, iPads and other products of Apple. The workers got poisoned after exposure of n-hexane, a chemical in cleaning agents used in some manufacturing processes which is volatile and strongly toxic. Apple adds that all 137 affected workers had been treated successfully at Wintek's expense, and that most of them had returned to work at the same factory. 

Currently Wintek factory works with a consultant who is to improve its environmental health and safety processes and management systems. Complete reaudit of the facility is expected to be held this year.