Workers Violently Protest Low Wages at Apple Supplier Wistron’s Factory in Bengaluru, India

Violence has broken out at an Apple supplier’s foactory in India over low wages, reads a new report from The Verge.

Violence broke out at a Taiwanese technology giant’s plant near Bengaluru after some employees, reportedly angry over salaries, vandalised the facility’s premises this morning. While the company, Wistron Corporation, is yet to respond to incident, the Karnataka government strongly condemned it.

The employees of the Narsapura plant suddenly turned violent today over their salaries – a matter that has lingered for months, according to reports. The protesters raised slogans against the management, pelted stones at the office, and set fire to a company name board and a vehicle.

A trade union leader, claiming information from the plant alleged that most on-contract employees were not paid “on time” and were concerned over “many deductions.”

“It is imperative that nobody takes the law in their own hands. There are appropriate forums to resolve such issues without indulging in this wanton violence,” said Karnataka Deputy Chief Minister Dr. C. Ashwathnaraya.

One trade union leader told The Hindu newspaper that there was “brutal exploitation” at the plant. “The state government has allowed the company to flout basic rights,” said Satyanand, who uses only one name.

The factory employs about 15,000 workers, according to local media, with most contracted via recruitment firms.

Apple did not immediately respond to a request for comment, but it has said in the past that it takes working conditions at supplier sites very seriously.

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