2011-02-21 14:01

Seven poisoned workers at the Wintek's Suzhou facility, one of Apple's touch screen suppliers, said money was added to their banking account, the Beijing News reported Monday.

Of the 137 affected workers, 37 have not left the factory. The newspaper confirmed that those 37 people have received a one-time disability supplement ranging from 10,000 to 30,000 yuan ($1,486.99 to $4,460.97).

The other 100 poisoned (who have left the factory) did not receive compensation before leaving. The 37 workers who stayed at the factory are worried the supplement signifies that they may be asked to leave their posts, the report said.

The California-based maker of iPods, iPhones and iPads acknowledged that the 137 workers at the Suzhou facility had suffered adverse health effects following exposure to n-hexane, a chemical in cleaning agents used in some manufacturing processes.

The head of the labor and social security bureau at Suzhou Industrial Park (SIP) said workers who become disabled from the accident can receive three parts of compensation. They can receive a one-time disability supplement, a one-time injury medical subsidy and a one-time employment subsidy for disabled. The first part will be paid by the social security fund in the second month after an assessment of the level of disability. The second two will be paid by the enterprise after the workers sign a resignation notice.

The affected workers feel that some of their symptoms have recurred and are demanding Wintek assist them in further consultation and provide timely treatment. But the company is yet to help any affected worker see a doctor and does not accept medical reports done in other cities, the report said.

The social affairs bureau of SIP has invited two specialists from Shanghai and Nanjing who will provide the 37 remaining workers with medical checks as soon as Feb 21, the enterprise confirmed. The company promised to provide assistance to these workers and cover all the medical expenses, the report said.