Foxconn creates new positions for Apple unit

Electronics manufacturer Foxconn has created new positions to help improve working conditions at its China-based unit that makes products for Apple, according to Bloomberg. This comes amid recent criticism by labor groups following a series of suicides by its employees.

In its report, Bloomberg noted that the company had advertised for a safety and security officer, a lifestyle services manager and two fire chiefs, in the southern Chinese city of Shenzhen on a human resources Web site. 

Foxconn's factories making products for Apple recently opened themselves up for inspection by the watchdog Fair Labor Association (FLA) in mid-February, whose report is due in early March.

Apple had asked the FLA to audit the manufacturing facilities in Shenzhen and Chengdu, after it joined the association in January. This had followed public criticism of working conditions in its supply chain, after a string of suicides.

Bloomberg noted that, according to the advertisement, the lifestyle manager would be responsible for conditions at the company's dormitories, canteens and health departments. It also pointed out the the safety and security position required a college degree in criminal investigation or legal-related disciplines.

The positions were among more than 20 advertised in the past month for the Shenzhen unit, which included production line managers and engineers, it added.