iPhone manufacturer Wistron might roll back India expansion plans

BENGALURU: Taiwan-based iPhone maker Wistron is deliberating whether it should continue with its expansion plans in India, sources said, after some workers ransacked its Karnataka facility, which company insiders have called a planned conspiracy to rob the plant. The firm, which manufactures iPhones and other IoT products at the facility located in the Kolar district, had plans to hire up to 25,000 employees by the end of next year. 

The iPhone manufacturing plant, run by Taiwan-based tech giant Wistron Corporation at Narsapura (Kolar district of  Karnataka) came under attack on Saturday from its employees over delayed salary payments. 

As per local reports, there were around  2,000 employees in the morning shift. They went on the rampage over the salary-related issues. Most of the employees there are on contract who alleged that they are not paid on time and there are many deductions in the salary. Police have registered an FIR and investigating the matter. 

Reportedly, the issue has been festering for about 8 to 10 weeks now during which employees were subject to arbitrary changes to their work contracts. About 90 percent of the 8,000-strong workforce are contractual workers with a promised salary of Rs 16,000 per month for an 8-hour work shift. But over the last few months, many were being paid only 12,000 and were asked to work for more than 12 hours a day. 

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