Report: Foxconn Ramping Up Hiring For Zhengzhou’s “iPhone City”

04 MAY 2022 - A bit of news that is both strange and interesting, if true. The Mac Observer cites a report from Taiwan’s UDN that says Foxconn’s “iPhone City” factory in Zhengzhou has started a recruitment drive. What’s strange is the timing. UDN says Foxconn hiring drives like the one underway usually begin around the middle of June or the start of July. Another strange thing, Foxconn’s paying more than usual to attract the employees. They generally pay workers a bonus of ~US$980 if they stay with the company for 90 days. The current drive has the manufacturer playing closer to US$1,300.

The report does not see early work on iPhone 14 as a driving force for the hiring drive. Strengthening its workforce to keep up with continued strong demand for iPhone 13 is seen by the piece as more likely. It’s also possible that Apple has asked Foxconn to bring employees into its “closed loop” early so that, should the region be hit with more COVID closures, new product releases will be less affected. 

Whatever the case, the story is strange and interesting.