REDMOND, WA -- Microsoft today issued a statement insisting labor protests at its contract manufacturing partner Foxconn are over.

The software giant said that upon hearing of the mass walkout at the Wuhan, China, factory, it immediately launched an investigation. Between 100 and 300 workers at the Foxconn site are said to have gained access to the plant roof and threatened mass suicide, supposedly over wages and severance pay.

In a statement, Microsoft said it is "one of many companies that contracts with Foxconn to manufacture hardware. Upon learning of the labor protest in Wuhan, we immediately conducted an independent investigation of this issue."

The company insisted the problem stemmed from staffing disagreements, consistent with what several local outlets have reported. "After talking with workers and management, it is our understanding that the worker protest was related to staffing assignments and transfer policies, not working conditions. Due to regular production adjustments, Foxconn offered the workers the option of being transferred to alternative production lines or resigning and receiving all salary and bonuses due, according to length of service. After the protest, the majority of workers chose to return to work. A smaller portion of those employees elected to resign.

"Microsoft takes working conditions in the factories that manufacture its products very seriously. We have a stringent Vendor Code of Conduct that spells out our expectations, and we monitor working conditions closely on an ongoing basis and address issues as they emerge. Microsoft is committed to the fair treatment and safety of workers employed by our vendors and to ensuring conformance with Microsoft policy."

Foxconn, the world's largest contract printed circuit board assembler, has been plagued by at least 17 worker suicides over the past three years.

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