The iPhone factory asked the village head for workers
SCMP The provincial government of Henan, China, is mobilizing village chiefs to help recruit workers for the world’s largest iPhone factory, Foxconn, in Zhengzhou. It’s an unusual move by a local government to protect its position in Apple’s supply chain.
The decision came as Foxconn admitted workers leaving the factory were causing serious shortages in the iPhone 14 Pro and 14 Pro Max.
A woman was tested for Covid-19 by medical staff at Beijing Airport in August. EPA EFE
Three of the many workers who have left Foxconn’s manufacturing facilities said they were concerned about the Covid-19 outbreak, despite being urged by local authorities to return to the assembly line.
consequences SKMP, The government’s involvement in the search for Foxconn employees once again underscores the company’s importance to the local economy. Given its size, Foxconn is almost a major exporter and taxpayer in Zhengzhou.
The move also clearly reflects China’s struggle to meet the twin challenges of halting the spread of the virus and ensuring the country’s growth. With the last move, the lines between the two missions seem to blur. On Nov. 10, China announced relaxation of anti-epidemic measures for domestic tourists, including reducing periods of home isolation and concentration.
Currently, the Foxconn factory in Zhengzhou operates on a closed model, with workers working day and night. As the number of positive cases of Covid-19 surged over the past month, many workers began to complain about the “horrific” living conditions. A number of people have chosen to run for office ahead of the bad developments of the pandemic.
On Nov. 9, Foxconn chairman Liu Yangwei said the Zhengzhou factory was “trying to restore productivity as soon as possible.”
Videos circulating on Chinese social media show quarantine workers at Foxconn dormitories throwing the suitcases and personal items of departing workers out the window to make room for the new arrivals.
Huong Nha (Track SCMP)