Chinese students forced to work in PlayStation 4 factory - Report

Over a thousand Chinese students were made to manufacture and assemble the PlayStation 4 as part of an unpaid internship at a controversial Foxconn factory, a new report has claimed.

Students on an engineering course at the Xi'an Institute of Technology are said (reported by Games In Asia) to have been told they were required to take part in two-month internships at the Chinese factory--and given tasks such as packing the PS4's-- in order to graduate the class.

In a statement issued to Quartz following its own internal investigation, Foxconn said it had taken action to bring the facility in line with its policies regarding unpaid student interns.

"Immediate actions have been taken to bring that campus into full compliance with our code and policies," said a Foxconn representative. The company is "reinforcing the policies of no overtime and no night shifts for student interns, even though such work is voluntary, and reminding all interns of their rights to terminate their participation in the program at any time."

In a statement issued by Sony, the PlayStation 4 owner said “the Sony Group established the 'Sony Supplier Code of Conduct' in June 2005 with the expectation of every supplier agreeing and adhering to the policies of the Sony Group in complying with all applicable laws, work ethics, labour conditions, and respect for human rights, environmental conservation and health and safety.”

"We understand Foxconn fully comprehend and comply with this Sony Supplier Code of Conduct."