Embattled manufacturer Hon Hai (2317.TW), which makes Apple’s (AAPL.NYSE) iPhone, is facing new allegations of worker abuse at its China factories, Reuters reported. Two media reports allege that the company and its Hong Kong-based subsidiary, Foxconn (2038.HK), promote a "militaristic" work culture that emphasizes long hours. The reports also claim that Foxconn has been using college students and interns to replace full-time employees on production lines, and pressuring them to work overtime. Hon Hai responded by saying that just 7.6% of its workforce were interns, and that they faced no compulsory overtime. Hon Hai came under fire earlier this year when a string of employee suicides brought media attention to what many regarded as its overworked and underpaid labor force. The firm conceded to massive pay rises for its workforce and has moved some factories inland to cut down on labor costs.
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