The current workforce at Foxconn's Longhua site is around 220,000, of whom about one-quarter stay on-site in dormitories. Obviously I didn't see all the dormitories, but I saw some, from inside and out. Here's a look. Previous Foxconn installments here and here. For context, remember: this is the hyper-secretive, highly controversial company that makes so many of the smartphones, computers, tablets, and other devices that you use.
From above. From the roof of one dorm, looking out to several others. They're the angled buildings.
![FoxconnDorm1.jpg]()
From in front. I saw two pools by dormitories. This is one, which I was told was "standard length," or 50 meters. There was no one in or around it during the working shift when I was there. I was told it was used mainly at night and on weekends.
![FoxConndDorm2.jpg]()
From inside a hall. The row of doors in an engineers' dorm.
![Foxconndorm3.jpg]()
A bunk unit. The building I saw included rooms with four bunk units per room. In each the bed is on top, desk and closet area below.
![FoxConnDorm4.jpg]()
Four people were living in this room; I saw their clothes in the closets and some other goods and laundry on a porch area. I was told that in other dorms for assembly-line workers, which I didn't see, there would be not four but six or eight bunks per room. I have seen enough similar places at other factories and schools to imagine that.
Here is a badly lit picture to give you the idea of how four bunk units fit. You see two bunks on the right; two others are on the left. The porch area is in the rear.
![FoxConnDorm7.jpg]()
The "break room." A TV-viewing area in the same engineers' dorm. This was, frankly, the most prison-looking scene I came across during the day. (Well, apart from the surveillance-camera room, but that is coming next.) But I also know that this kind of plainly square room layout is typical of many Chinese schools, offices, and so on.
![Foxconndorm6.jpg]()
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From above. From the roof of one dorm, looking out to several others. They're the angled buildings.
From in front. I saw two pools by dormitories. This is one, which I was told was "standard length," or 50 meters. There was no one in or around it during the working shift when I was there. I was told it was used mainly at night and on weekends.
From inside a hall. The row of doors in an engineers' dorm.
A bunk unit. The building I saw included rooms with four bunk units per room. In each the bed is on top, desk and closet area below.
Four people were living in this room; I saw their clothes in the closets and some other goods and laundry on a porch area. I was told that in other dorms for assembly-line workers, which I didn't see, there would be not four but six or eight bunks per room. I have seen enough similar places at other factories and schools to imagine that.
Here is a badly lit picture to give you the idea of how four bunk units fit. You see two bunks on the right; two others are on the left. The porch area is in the rear.
The "break room." A TV-viewing area in the same engineers' dorm. This was, frankly, the most prison-looking scene I came across during the day. (Well, apart from the surveillance-camera room, but that is coming next.) But I also know that this kind of plainly square room layout is typical of many Chinese schools, offices, and so on.
More to come.
UPDATE: I am hearing from many people in America, "this looks tough." I am hearing from many people who have seen other Chinese factories, "this looks pretty good." More on this too -- and while I'm saving "what it all means" comments for later, I'll say that I've seen enough other Chinese factories, rural schools, villages and so on to recognize that these are on the higher end of the spectrum. Again, for context, please see these pictures in combination with the first two installments.
UPDATE: I am hearing from many people in America, "this looks tough." I am hearing from many people who have seen other Chinese factories, "this looks pretty good." More on this too -- and while I'm saving "what it all means" comments for later, I'll say that I've seen enough other Chinese factories, rural schools, villages and so on to recognize that these are on the higher end of the spectrum. Again, for context, please see these pictures in combination with the first two installments.
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