Foxconn expects COVID-hit China plant back to full output in late Dec-early Jan -source

TAIPEI, Dec 5 (Reuters) – Apple supplier Foxconn
expects its COVID-hit Zhengzhou plant in China to
resume full production around late December to early January, a
Foxconn source said on Monday, after worker unrest disrupted the
world’s biggest iPhone factory.

The Zhengzhou plant has been grappling with strict COVID-19
restrictions that have fuelled discontent among workers over
conditions at the factory. Production of the Apple
device was disrupted ahead of Christmas and January’s Lunar New
Year holidays, with many workers either having to isolate to
combat the spread of the virus or fleeing the plant.

“The capacity is now being gradually resumed” with new
staff hiring under way, said the person with direct knowledge of
the matter. The person declined to the named as the information
was private.

“If the recruitment goes smoothly, it could take around
three to four weeks to resume full production,” the person said,
pointing to a period around late December to early January.

Foxconn and the local government are working hard on the
recruitment drive but many uncertainties remain, according to
the source. The person cited “fears” some workers might have
about working for the company after the plant was hit by
protests last month that sometimes turned violent.

“We are firing on all cylinders on the recruitment,” the
person said.

Foxconn declined to comment.

Shares of Foxconn were up 0.5% on Monday morning, in line
with the 0.6% rise in the broader market.
(Reporting By Yimou Lee; Editing by Tom Hogue and Kenneth
Maxwell)