Foxconn Photo: VCG

Foxconn's plant in Zhengzhou, a major center for iPhone production, launched three notices in a new round of mass recruitment this week, offering incentives such as higher bonuses for new candidates and referrals as the plant ramps up to full capacity, the Global Times learned.

The hiring drive comes as the plant, which accounts for around 80 percent of iPhone 14 series' global production capacity, is working in full swing to restore production lines affected by the pandemic, backed by strong support of the local government.

Currently, the epidemic situation is improving in the Zhengzhou Airport Economy Zone where the plant is located, while production and daily life within the manufacturing compound is getting back to normal, the company's iDPBG group, the one that makes the iPhone, said in a statement on Wednesday.

Two individuals from Foxconn's recruitment unit confirmed with the Global Times on Thursday that a mass hiring drive is underway, not only in Zhengzhou but in other locations including Taiyuan, North China's Shanxi Province, and Shenzhen, South China's Guangdong Province, seeking new workers to join the iPhone manufacturing division.

One source said that new recruits at the Zhengzhou plant are offered attractive bonuses as the plant requires a large number of new workers.

The Zhengzhou plant is offering 13,000-yuan monthly payment for workers, including 3,000 yuan for those working for 30 days in a row and another 3,000-yuan bonus for those working under closed-loop management, according to a recruitment notice.

To replenish the facility's dwindling workforce following recent setbacks linked to the pandemic, bonuses are also available for employee referrals. Successful referrals are eligible for 1,000-yuan one-time bonus if their referred candidate works at the plant for 30 days in a row, another recruitment notice issued on Thursday read.

"We want as many workers as possible at the moment," a recruitment manager said, hinting at a lingering shortage of workers on the production line.

Zhengzhou is readjusting policy on pandemic management starting from Thursday as the situation becomes more manageable, according to local government. At the same time, the city has resumed business activities in an orderly manner. Essential businesses such as supermarkets and barber shops are resuming operations, while cinemas, libraries, and other places are also reopening in an orderly manner. 

With Foxconn's recruitment drive in full swing, new recruits will be quarantined at designated hotels for five days before being admitted to the factory, a recruitment manager said on Thursday.

Foxconn's stock opened higher on Thursday morning, gaining 2.10 percent at the highest point. The stock was up 1.3 percent as of time of press.

Global Times