Mass food poisoning and strikes followed by Apple's launch of an iPhone factory in India

Apple is sending independent auditors to investigate an iPhone assembly plant in India after poor working and living conditions at the plant prompted workers to strike. The plant is located in southern India and is operated by Foxconn, Apple's longtime partner. A Reuters investigation found that the working conditions of the women working at the factory were extremely harsh, and they were forced to sleep on the floor of crowded dormitories and share toilets without running water.

The recent outbreak of food poisoning led to 150 simultaneous hospitalizations, prompting workers to strike on December 18 and halting factories.

In response, Apple said it had put the plant in "lien viewing" status (though the company didn't say what that meant for Foxconn or the workers assembling the iPhones). The plant, which employs about 17,000 people, is located about 25 miles (40 kilometers) west of Chennai.

An Apple spokesperson said: "Following recent concerns about food safety and accommodation conditions in Foxconn's Sharperumbudur, we have sent independent auditors. We have found that some remote dorm accommodations and restaurants for employees do not meet our requirements and we are working with our suppliers to ensure that a comprehensive set of corrective actions is implemented quickly."

Foxconn has apologized for the harsh conditions, and, according to the Tamil Nadu government, Foxconn has agreed to upgrade its facilities — expanding living spaces, improving bathrooms, and providing clean drinking water. The company said it would soon resume work at the plant.

The news illustrates the difficulties Apple faces in moving its production work out of China. According to reports in recent years, Apple has urged suppliers such as Foxconn to shift production to other countries such as India and Vietnam. That's because Apple has been under criticism for outsourcing manufacturing, and moving production out of China is seen as putting less pressure on Apple.

Apple's labor conditions have been repeatedly criticized for building its lucrative computer and digital products. Foxconn's factories, in particular, are often investigated for sweatshop allegations and worker suicides.