Apple Suppliers Struggling to Hire Enough Workers Ahead of iPhone 13 Launch

Apple suppliers manufacturing the iPhone 13 models are struggling to hire enough workers ahead of the expected launch of new devices in September, according to the South China Morning Post.

iphone 13 blue with text
In an attempt to attract workers to meet demand for the ‌iPhone‌ 13 lineup, Apple suppliers in China are significantly raising their starter bonuses. Foxconn's factory in Zhengzhou, which is estimated to manufacture around 80 percent of the world's iPhones, has raised its new hires bonus to a record high of 10,200 yuan (U.S. $1,578).

Likewise, Lens Technology has doubled its bonus 5,000 yuan in February to 10,000 yuan in May, while Luxshare Precision's factory in Guangdong has doubled its internal referral bonus from 2,500 yuan in April to 5,000 yuan in May, with a top-up bonus of 3,800 yuan for returning workers who previously left the company.

Over the past three years, Apple has added more new suppliers from mainland China to its vendor list than any other country, but simultaneously the growth of China's labor force has peaked as factory jobs have started to lose their appeal and more workers move out of industrial labor, leading to companies having to lure in workers with more attractive pay packages.

The current aggressive hiring spree seeks to combat increasingly ramped-up production for the ‌iPhone‌ 13 models, which are believed to be on track for launch late next month.

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Top Rated Comments

Frixos Avatar
51 months ago
It’d be wise to spread the supply chain to other countries. It’s not smart to be so dependent on one country.
Score: 11 Votes (Like | Disagree)
ElectricPotato Avatar
51 months ago


...raised its new hires bonus to a record high of 10,200 yuan (U.S. $1,578).
The cost of one high end iPhone.
Score: 9 Votes (Like | Disagree)
citysnaps Avatar
51 months ago

I guess too many of them jumped off the dormitories. Just remember that the next time you tweet from your iPhone to virtue signal for social brownie points.
Nice fear mongering. You must have reported numbers of workers over the last year to share.
Score: 6 Votes (Like | Disagree)
sw1tcher Avatar
51 months ago

Tim Cook does not control what suppliers pay their employees.
Yes, he does.

Apple controls what they pay their suppliers and contract manufacturers who in turn pay their employees. If Apple paid them better, they would be able to pay their employees better. But Apple likes to squeeze them to maintain their profits.

https://www.reuters.com/article/uk-apple-foxconn/apple-foxconn-pledge-to-revamp-worker-conditions-idUKBRE82S19820120329

In a landmark development for the way Western companies do business in China, Apple Inc said on Thursday it had agreed to work with partner Foxconn to tackle wage and working condition violations at the factories that produce its popular products.


It's not as if Apple hasn't done anything in the past to improve wages or work conditions

https://apnews.com/article/a9b3158ff7ac44ebb8469108d8fbe6fc

Foxconn Technology’s promise comes as Beijing is pushing foreign companies to share more of their revenues with Chinese employees. It follows a report by a labor auditor hired by Apple Inc. that found Foxconn was regularly violating legal limits on overtime, with factory employees working more than 60 hours per week.

Foxconn, owned by Taiwan’s Hon Hai Precision Industry Co., promised to limit hours while keeping total pay the same, effectively paying more per hour.
Score: 5 Votes (Like | Disagree)
Sir_Macs_A_Lot Avatar
51 months ago

Apple iPhone slave factories are covid super spreaders!!
I needs me that new iPhone 13...whether they cough on it or not!
Score: 4 Votes (Like | Disagree)
andrewxgx Avatar
51 months ago
Say goodbye to 999$ base price for iPhone Pro
Score: 4 Votes (Like | Disagree)