Foxconn, the major supplier for Apple Inc. (NASDAQ: AAPL), is intensifying its recruitment drive in preparation for the launch of the upcoming iPhone model. The company has announced enticing bonuses for new workers joining its facility in Zhengzhou, China.
Reports suggest that individuals who remain employed for at least 90 days will receive bonuses of up to 3,000 yuan ($424; £343). Moreover, current employees who successfully refer a friend or family member will also be eligible for rewards.
The highly anticipated iPhone 15 is scheduled for release in September, making this recruitment push crucial for Foxconn to meet the growing demand.
In a recent post on the Chinese messaging app WeChat, Foxconn revealed that employees who refer a new recruit will receive 500 yuan if the referred person stays with the company for a month. This move reflects Foxconn’s ongoing efforts to improve the benefits and working conditions for its workforce at the sprawling Zhengzhou plant, famously known as iPhone City.
Last year, the Zhengzhou plant faced challenges as hundreds of workers protested over Covid-19 restrictions and allegations of unpaid wages. In October, videos circulated online showing people attempting to jump over the fence after the Foxconn factory was locked down due to a coronavirus outbreak.
In November, Apple had warned of delays in iPhone 14 shipments when Chinese authorities-imposed lockdown measures in the Zhengzhou district. In response, Apple recruited new workers by promising higher bonuses. However, some workers reported issues with their contracts, claiming that they were unable to receive the promised subsidies and were even quarantined without food.
Foxconn stated that “a technical error occurred during the onboarding process” but confirmed that the new recruits’ pay matched the agreed-upon terms mentioned in the official recruitment posters.
The Zhengzhou plant, with a workforce exceeding 200,000, serves as the manufacturing hub for Apple devices, including the iPhone 14 Pro and Pro Max. With the forthcoming iPhone 15 launch, Foxconn’s recruitment efforts aim to sustain production levels and meet consumer demand for the highly anticipated device.
