Image via Apple Maps
Foxconn’s upping incentives for returning iPhone workers, and I’m kind of wondering why. Not that there’s no reason. Rather, there are two that leap to mind. Let’s talk first about the folks.
A piece from Apple Insider says, “Foxconn's iPhone plant in Zhengzhou is recruiting for experienced production line workers, and offering a signing bonus of $1,470.” That’s well above the monthly salary of the equivalent of $1,081.
There are a few factors at play in the recruitment push. First, the piece says, “a local Omnicron outbreak is adding to the difficulties because of how it is disrupting travel around Zhengzhou.” Additionally, they’re recruiting to keep people on the line over the Lunar New Year holiday hitting at the end of January/beginning of February. Apple Insider says the “concern is that because of travel problems, workers may not then return to the factories.”
As for why they need them, a couple of reasons seem possible. The first is making up for iPhones they couldn’t make during the December-quarter. The second - folks are expecting a new iPhone SE3. Rumors have that launching later this quarter or early next quarter.
