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World’s largest iPhone factory dangles bonuses to entice part-timers to stay longer after worker exodus

  • The plant’s iPhone production unit has promised a retention bonus of up to 8,000 yuan (US$1,100) for contractors who agree to keep working until March
  • The last months of the year are typically Foxconn’s peak season, as Apple gears up for soaring demand from holiday shoppers in the US and Europe

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Foxconn’s company building in Taipei, Taiwan. Photo: Reuters
Coco Fengin Beijing
The world’s largest iPhone factory, operated by Foxconn Technology Group in the central Chinese city of Zhengzhou, has announced new incentives for contractors willing to stay employed in the coming months, as the plant rushes to fulfil peak season orders after a staff exodus three weeks ago.

The factory’s iPhone production unit has promised a “retention bonus” of up to 8,000 yuan (US$1,100) for contractors who agree to keep working until March 6, according to a post on the unit’s official WeChat account on Friday.

The policy applies only to part-time workers who are already employed by the factory, and those who are directly involved in manufacturing will be paid more, according to the notice.

01:33

Chinese workers flee world’s largest iPhone factory after Covid outbreak

Chinese workers flee world’s largest iPhone factory after Covid outbreak

In addition, the company will grant between 3,000 yuan and 10,000 yuan to full-time and part-time workers who meet certain work day requirements in December, the iPhone unit said in another WeChat post.

The compound, which has been facing a shortage of workers since many of them fled earlier this month over fears of Covid-19 transmission and lockdowns, is in need of 100,000 workers to resume full production capacity, state media reported this week.

The last months of the year are typically Foxconn’s peak season, as Apple gears up for soaring demand from holiday shoppers in the US and Europe, its key markets. The plant in Zhengzhou normally employs some 300,000 workers this time of the year, with many being contractors and part-timers.

Apple warned last week that shipments of the iPhone 14 Pro and 14 Pro Max models may be delayed as the Foxconn factory was “operating at significantly reduced capacity”.
The Foxconn’s building in Taipei, Taiwan. Photo: Reuters
The Foxconn’s building in Taipei, Taiwan. Photo: Reuters
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