Apple iPhone 5 maker Foxconn halts production as staff walk out 3,000 to 4,000 people were absent across two shifts on October 5, according to US-based NGO China Labor Watch. However, they have since returned to work. However, Wang Xiangqian, former professor at the China Institute of Industrial Relations, said the protests showed Foxconn still needs to do more to improve factory conditions. "What happens in Foxconn's factories shows that it needs to improve working conditions and its handling of worker relations," he said. "Foxconn may have put more focus on efficiency and discipline, which is not wrong, and may have overlooked employees" feelings as human beings." The walkout came shortly after Foxconn received instructions from Apple to improve the quality of the iPhone 5. The company had received complaints from customers about scratches on the latest handset, according to China Labor Watch. Last month, a dispute involving 2,00 workers halted production at a Foxconn plant in northern China. More than 40 people were taken to hospital as a result of the brawl. Apple said in a statement: "These were isolated incidents and were immediately addressed and measures taken, including providing additional staff for the lines in question."