Foxconn promises improvements after labour audit

Taiwan IT giant Foxconn, a top maker of products for Apple, said Friday it would work with the iconic US brand to rectify workplace abuses unveiled in an audit of three of its plants in China.

After the US-based Fair Labor Association (FLA) described forced overtime at its assembly lines that contravened Chinese law, Foxconn said it would take remedial action and that its success would be judged by future audits.

"We are committed to work with Apple to carry out the remediation program, developed by both our companies, that has been presented along with the FLA audit findings," Foxconn said in a statement.

"We will continue to support Apple's initiatives to ensure that its business partners are in compliance with all relevant China laws and regulations and the FLA's Workplace Code of Conduct."

Foxconn has been the target of severe criticism in recent years, as claims have emerged of harsh conditions and military-style discipline at its vast operations in China.

Since 2010, more than a dozen Foxconn employees in China have died in apparent suicides.

"Our employees are our greatest asset and we are fully committed to ensuring that they have a safe, satisfactory and healthy working environment," Foxconn said in the statement.

Shares of Hon Hai Precision Industry, the parent of Foxconn, fell 1.29 percent to Tw$114.5 ($3.9) on the Taiwan Stock Exchange Friday.