Apple supplier Foxconn Technology Group said on Saturday, Oct. 6, that production at its central Chinese factory that makes iPhones was not interrupted, contrary to rumors that thousands of workers had gone on strike.

A New York-based labor watch group called China Labor Watch had reported on Friday, Oct. 5, that 3,000 to 4,000 workers at the plant in Zhengzhou city went on strike over increased quality control demands and having to spend an extended national holiday at work.

Foxconn acknowledged that it had two isolated, small-scale disputes between production line workers and quality assurance personnel, but denied the employees stopped working and went on strike. The Taiwan-based electronics manufacturer did not detail what issues had caused the disputes on Monday and Tuesday, but said that it took immediate measures to resolve the problems. Such measures included adding more production line workers.

"Any reports that there has been an employee strike are inaccurate," Foxconn told Reuters in an emailed statement. "There has been no workplace stoppage in that facility or any other Foxconn facility and production has continued on schedule."

China Labor Watch had reported that several iPhone 5 production lines at the plant were stopped after the workers found the new quality control demands too difficult to meet and went on strike. The advocacy group also claimed the workers were angry about being forced to work through China's National Day Golden Week holiday, which ends Sunday, Oct. 7.

Foxconn, meanwhile, explained that its employees in China were not forced to work during the holiday, but did so voluntarily and were paid three times the normal amount, in accordance with Chinese labor law.

The iPhone 5, Apple's latest addition to its line of smartphones, debuted in September. According to China Labor Watch, both Apple and Foxconn had imposed stricter quality standards concerning scratches and indentations on the frames and back covers of the iPhones, but without providing workers with proper training to meet the new standards.

The advocacy group's report claimed workers also beat quality control inspectors, who in turn stopped working as well after management ignored their complaints.

Foxconn recently had a brawl involving some 2,000 workers at a factory in the northern Chinese city of Taiyuan in late September. Production was disrupted for roughly 24 hours. The dispute again highlighted labor tensions in a country that prohibits independent unions. Now, labor activists claim the iPhone 5 rollout has led to even longer working hours and increased pressure on workers.

Apple and Foxconn have been severely criticized for poor working conditions and wages at factories across China. To address concerns, the two giants have organized an audit of factory conditions, improved safety, increased wages, and reduced overtime, among other measures. Apple did not comment on the recent report from China Labor Watch.