Taiwan-based Foxconn has announced plans to increase wages in China for the second time in less than a week.
Ten employees at the company’s giant complex in Shenzhen, China, which employs around 350,000 mostly migrant workers, have committed suicide over the past few months.
In addition to the spate of suicides at the world’s biggest factory – which assembles products including Wii, Xbox 360, PS3, iPhone and iPad – a worker allegedly died of exhaustion last week following a 34-hour shift.
Last week Foxconn - which is being investigated by a number of its major clients concerned about working conditions - raised salaries at its mainland Chinese factories by 30 per cent.
The additional 70 per cent increase will come into effect from as early as October 1, if workers meet certain conditions, according to the BBC.
Foxconn said in a statement that the second pay rise would ease the pressure on workers to do overtime.
"While overtime work was always voluntary, this wage increase will reduce overtime work as a personal necessity."
In order to receive the rise, workers must pass a performance test lasting three months.
"This wage increase has been instituted to safeguard the dignity of workers," said Foxconn chairman Terry Gou.