Foxconn Zhengzhou woos fleeing workers with US$70 subsidy after Covid-induced exodus hits iPhone capacity

Foxconn called the subsidy a ‘pre-hiring’ offer as workers would not be able to return until the seven-day lockdown was lifted on Wednesday. Fears of catching the virus as well as concerns over food quality in the compound led to an exodus of Foxconn workers a week ago. — SCMP

Foxconn Zhengzhou is offering workers who fled the compound over coronavirus fears a one-off 500 yuan (US$70 or RM327) subsidy if they agree to return to work, as the world’s largest iPhone factory tries to minimise the fallout from a Covid-19 lockdown imposed by local authorities.

A notice posted on Nov 7 by the Foxconn unit responsible for iPhone production said the “care and love” subsidy was a “pre-hiring” offer as workers would not be able to return to the compound until the seven-day lockdown imposed by local authorities was lifted on Wednesday this week.