It has been reported that one of Apple’s main suppliers, Foxconn, is offering generous bonuses to attract workers to the central Chinese city of Zhengzou, otherwise known as “iPhone city”.
The largest iPhone factory in the world is said to be offering returning and new workers a bonus that would amount to more than their monthly wage. Returning workers are being given a sign-on bonus of 9,500 Chinese yuan ($1,498), while first-time employees are being offered 9,000 Chinese yuan ($1,419), on top of their monthly wage.
According to the South China Morning Post, the job post comes as Foxconn hunts for experienced workers ahead of the Lunar New Year holiday. Migrant workers across China usually return home to be with their families for the festival, which will take place from January 31 to February 6.
A similar bonus was offered to workers in July 2021, when production of the new iPhone 13 was ramped up. Foxconn raised rewards for former workers from 5,500 yuan to 8,000 yuan in June, before increasing the bonus again in July.
The hiring bonus also comes amid a surge in the Omicron variant of COVID-19 in Zhengzhou, in Henan province. Parts of the city are currently under lockdown, with travel restrictions imposed for those entering and leaving the area, although Foxconn has said the outbreak has not impacted on production.
