Foxconn's Early Recruitment in Zhengzhou Faces Wage Concerns Amid Apple's iPhone Production Surge

Foxconn’s recruitment campaign in Zhengzhou is underway as Apple’s production season begins, but this year’s wages may underwhelm compared to the past two years. Foxconn’s official recruitment WeChat account has declared these rates as the “highest of the year,” signaling the onset of the peak production period for iPhones.
Typically, Apple releases its new iPhones in September, stirring production spikes at its assembly plants. For this season, Foxconn has launched its recruitment earlier than usual, in July, and is urging job-seekers not to wait for potential pay raises. According to their posts, a three-month stint at Foxconn’s Port Area A could yield up to 21,500 yuan in bonuses for returning workers. However, if wages don’t increase further, this year’s pay will fall short of the peaks seen in the past two years.
Compensation in Foxconn is structured in two ways: high-paid hourly work, with a wage of 25 yuan per hour plus a 200 yuan allowance, and a three-month completion bonus. Placement and seniority influence the final bonus amount, which ranges from 6,500 to 8,000 yuan at Port Area A. Completing three months of work would see a total take-home pay estimate from 17,500 to 21,500 yuan.
In previous peak seasons, Foxconn has offered higher wages. For instance, last August, the hourly wage reached 31 yuan, and returning workers could make up to 10,500 yuan in bonuses. The 2022 high saw returning employees earning between 21,000 and 22,000 yuan over three months. Today’s announced rates thus represent a decrease in potential earnings relative to these past two years.
Beyond wages, Foxconn has specific recruitment criteria, focusing mainly on physical qualifications, such as the absence of large tattoos, scars, or any metal implants from surgeries. A recruiter mentioned that as long as health checks are cleared, most applicants are expected to pass the interviews.
The manpower influx at Foxconn in recent weeks has been notable, with reports suggesting as many as 50,000 new hires in the span of two weeks. Recruiters confirmed the high volume but indicated that the current wage levels are unlikely to increase given the ample supply of labor.
Recently, Foxconn announced further investments in Zhengzhou, aiming to establish a new headquarters and expand into electric vehicle and robotics sectors. This indicates the company’s strategy to diversify revenue streams beyond its traditional role as Apple’s primary assembly partner.
Amid these developments, market watchers are keeping an eye on Apple’s upcoming iPhone 16, which is set to include advanced AI functionalities. This could potentially drive a new cycle of consumer demand. However, Foxconn’s role remains pivotal, balancing between robust recruitment drives and maintaining competitive wage levels.
As the production season intensifies, Foxconn’s wage strategy and operational adjustments will be critical in meeting the aggressive production targets for Apple’s latest iPhones.