London Daily

Focus on the big picture.
Sunday, Apr 05, 2026

Foxconn: iPhone maker offers payments for finding new workers

Foxconn: iPhone maker offers payments for finding new workers

Apple supplier Foxconn is ramping up efforts to recruit workers after unrest at the world's biggest iPhone factory.
Employees who successfully refer a friend or family member to work at its plant in Zhengzhou, China will receive a 1,000 yuan award ($141; £117).

It comes after footage circulated widely online last week showed angry protests at the factory.

Apple has warned that shipments of its new iPhone 14 would be delayed due to Covid restrictions.

Foxconn employees who refer a new recruit will be paid 500 yuan if the person stays working for the company for 15 days. They will get another 500 yuan if the recruit remains in the role for a month, a post seen by the BBC on the popular messaging app WeChat said.

Last month, Foxconn apologised for a "technical error" in its payment system after protests at the factory in the city of Zhengzhou over Covid restrictions and claims of overdue pay.

The announcement came after videos posted on social media showed hundreds of workers clashing with security staff.

At the end of October, video shared online showed people jumping a fence outside the Foxconn after a Covid outbreak forced staff to lockdown at the facility.

The company then recruited new workers with the promise of generous bonuses.

However, one worker told the BBC that these contracts were changed so they "could not get the subsidy promised," adding that they were quarantined without food.

Some analysts have warned that the protests and Covid lockdowns have had a major impact on production at what is known as "iPhone City" ahead of the holiday shopping season.

"What started out a month ago as 3% iPhone 14 Pro shortages grew to 5% last week and now are roughly 10%+ of overall units with the potential to increase over the coming month depending on any production improvements from Foxconn," Dan Ives from investment firm Wedbush Securities said.

Although Apple has not put a figure on the the impact of the issues at the the Zhengzhou plant it has warned of delays to deliveries of the iPhone 14 Pro and iPhone 14 Pro Max.

China's National Health Commission reported 36,061 new Covid-19 infections for Wednesday, that's down from 37,828 new cases for Tuesday.

The country's zero-Covid policy and a slowdown of the global economy are taking a toll on China's economic growth.

Factory activity in the world's second largest economy shrank more than expected in November. The Purchasing Managers' Index (PMI) fell to 48, down from 49.2 in October, according to the latest official figures published on Wednesday.
Newsletter

Related Articles

0:00
0:00
Close
UK Food Halls Defy Hospitality Slowdown, Emerging as Bright Spot in Challenging Market
UK Sets Firm Conditions for Military Action, Insisting on Legal Mandate and Clear Strategy
UK Medicines Regulator Launches Probe into Peptide Clinics Over Health Claims
New North Sea Drilling Unlikely to Significantly Cut UK Gas Imports, Analysis Finds
Woman Linked to UK’s First All-Female Terror Plot Faces Deportation
Downed US Aircraft Over Iran Linked to Operations from UK Airfield
Two Men and Teen Detained in UK Following Attack on Jewish Charity Ambulance
UK Police Launch Inquiry After Firearms Left Unattended Outside Mayor’s Residence
Giuffre Family Calls on King Charles to Meet Epstein Survivors During US Visit
Amber Wind Warning Issued as Storm Dave Approaches Parts of the United Kingdom
Prince Harry and Meghan’s Australia Visit Set to Draw Heightened Global Attention
UK Considers Entry Fees for Overseas Visitors at Major Museums Ahead of 2026 Travel Season
UK Prime Minister and Kuwait Crown Prince Coordinate Security Response After Regional Escalation
Calls Grow to Expand Fully Paid Maternity Leave for UK Teachers Amid Workforce Pressures
UK Secures Tariff-Free Access to US Market in Landmark Pharmaceuticals Agreement
Trump Projects Strength in Critique of UK Leadership and Naval Readiness
UK FinTech Setback as VibePay and Smartlayer Cease Operations Amid Funding Pressures
UK Leads Global Coalition of Over Forty Nations to Address Strait of Hormuz Crisis
UK Firms Urged to Accelerate Preparation as New Sustainability Reporting Rules Take Shape
UK Moves Rapid Sentry Air Defence System to Kuwait After Drone Strike Escalation
Transatlantic Relations Tested as UK Seeks Balance While Trump Reshapes Strategic Approach
Trump’s Strategic Pressure on UK Seen as Push for Stronger Alignment and Fairer Terms
UK Focuses on Trade Finance to Secure Critical Materials for Defence and Energy Sectors
Majority of UK Businesses Hit by Middle East Conflict While Confidence Holds Firm
UK Royal Navy Faces Renewed Scrutiny as Debate Intensifies Over Capability and Readiness
Reform UK Faces Mounting Distractions as Policy Agenda Struggles to Gain Traction
Investigation Launched Into Northern Cyprus IVF Clinics After UK Families Receive Incorrect Sperm
International Meeting Issues Unified Call to Safeguard Navigation Through Strait of Hormuz
Potential Strait of Hormuz Closure Raises Concerns Over UK Food and Medicine Supply Chains
UK Leads Coalition of Over Forty Nations Urging Iran to Reopen Strait of Hormuz
UK Secures Tariff-Free Access for Medicines in Landmark US Pharma Trade Agreement
King Charles III Invited to Address Joint Session of U.S. Congress in Rare Diplomatic Honor
Debate Grows Over Whether Expanded North Sea Drilling Can Reduce UK Energy Bills
UK Faces Heightened Risk of Jet Fuel Shortages, Airline Chief Warns
UK Ends Police Investigations into Lawful Social Media Posts After Review Finds Overreach
Abramovich Moves to Establish Charity for Frozen Chelsea Sale Proceeds Amid UK Dispute
Starmer Reaffirms NATO Commitment While Responding to Trump’s Strategic Critique
UK Aid Reductions Raise Fears of Severe Human Impact Across Parts of Africa
UK Signals Renewed Push for EU Cooperation as Iran Conflict Reshapes Security Landscape
Bank of England Signals Caution as Bailey Advises Markets Against Expecting Rate Hikes
UK to Convene Global Coalition to Restore Shipping Through Strait of Hormuz
Trump Signals Possible NATO Reassessment, Emphasizes Stronger U.S. Strategic Autonomy
Australia Joins British-Led Efforts to Reopen Strait of Hormuz Amid Escalating Tensions
King Charles Plans US State Visit as UK Strengthens Ties with Trump Leadership
UK Regulator Launches Investigation Into Microsoft’s Business Software Practices
Kanye West Set for High-Profile Return to UK Stage at Wireless Festival
Trump Presses Europe to Strengthen Commitment as Iran Conflict Escalates
UK to Deploy Additional Troops to Middle East Amid Rising Regional Tensions
UK Authorities Face Claims of Heavy-Handed Measures in Monitoring Released Pro-Palestine Activists
Trump Calls on UK to Secure Its Own Energy as Iran Conflict Intensifies
×