iPhones could be quite difficult to come by in the future.
Foxconn predicts that iPhone production in its factory in Zhengzhou, China, could experience a drop owing to the COVID-19 restrictions in effect across the city.
This factory is mostly regarded as China's biggest iPhone factory and one of the largest iPhone factories in the world, per Reuters and Business Insider.
Foxconn iPhone Factory Production Decrease Details
A person with direct knowledge of the matter mentioned to Reuters that Foxconn is looking at a possible 30% drop in iPhone production in its factory in Zhengzhou, China, which is the biggest iPhone factory the country has.
As such, to offset the possible decrease and adapt to the situation, the company is planning on boosting production at one of its factories in the country, with its factory in Zhenzhen City being picked to do so.
The source declined to reveal their identity as the information was private, which could lead to them losing their job if they did so.
This potential move from Foxconn contradicts the company's statement that iPhone production in the factory will remain stable despite the outbreak.
You may remember that a Foxconn spokesperson said that the outbreak's impact in the city is "controllable," and that only a small number of employees were affected.
The company has 300,000 employees across 90 production lines in its three factories in Zhengzhou. These three sites make up the company's manufacturing base.
While the production target has not changed at the time, the outbreak is expected to hamper shipments of iPhone 14, per PanDaily.
Foxconn Workers Mass Exodus
Hundreds of Foxconn employees are believed to have fled the factory in China's central province of Henan. It comes after workers raised concerns about insufficient medical care and under-reported COVID infections put them at high risk.pic.twitter.com/8XBZa4eGc3
— Bang Xiao 萧邦 (@BangXiao_) October 30, 2022
Unfortunately, the outbreak led to the mass exodus of Foxconn workers from its factory in Zhengzhou. Many were photographed and recorded climbing over fences and walking down highways.
Those who saw the mass exodus went to social media, particularly Twitter, to post their pictures and videos.
Hundreds of Foxconn employees are believed to have fled the factory in China's central province of Henan. It comes after workers raised concerns about insufficient medical care and under-reported COVID infections put them at high risk.pic.twitter.com/8XBZa4eGc3
— Bang Xiao 萧邦 (@BangXiao_) October 30, 2022
Reports say that Foxconn's workers fled the facility due to a risk of food shortages, as only those working on production lines were given meal boxes, per Bloomberg's sources.
Meanwhile, those infected with the virulent virus were provided only with basic supplies, like bread and instant noodles.
What complicates matters is that the largest iPhone factory in the world also employs a large workforce; more than 200,000 workers are responsible for the factory's iPhone production.
Foxconn stated that it is aware of the situation in its Zhengzhou factory and that it is a "protracted battle" to protect the health and safety of all of its workers there.
Although Foxconn didn't refer to the social media posting regarding its workers' mass exodus, it did say it is continuing to implement its pandemic prevention measures in Zhengzhou Park, where its employees are living in.
Additionally, employees will soon receive an ample supply of daily necessities since the outbreak is stabilizing in the city. Those who wish to return to their homes can look forward to a point-to-point orderly return service.
Even with these measures, the outbreak is expected to cause delays of iPhone 14 units globally.
