Foxconn is the giant Chinese manufacturer responsible for a host of Apple and Dell products (and others). Recent headlines point to a growing suicide problem among Foxconn workers—nine suicides in five months. Nicholas Carlson at Business Insider found a different view:
In fact, at 5.4 suicides per 100,000 people (400,000 people work at Foxconn), the Foxconn suicide rate is lower than it is in all 50 U.S. states.
Carlson points out that the suicide rate in Wyoming is four times that of Foxconn (California is nearly double).
Foxconn is putting up nets around its facility to catch anyone that jumps. It’s also asking employees to sign a pledge that they will not kill themselves.
That seems like an extreme measure for such a low suicide rate. I wonder where Carlson got the Foxconn numbers?