World’s Largest iPhone Factory Back Online After Disruptions

Production has resumed at almost full capacity at the world’s biggest iPhone factory in Zhengzhou, China. Covid-19 restrictions and worker protests have “badly” disrupted production since October, according to the company. 

The Henan Daily newspaper reported that by the end of December, the massive iPhone factory was running at 90% of the planned production capacity. 

A huge wave of Covid cases came after China abruptly ended three years of restrictions. Terry Gou, the founder of Foxconn, Apple’s supplier, warned “that strict Covid controls would threaten China’s central position in global supply chains,” CNN reported. 

Covid-related protests also affected production at the Zhengzhou factory. According to CNN’s report, workers began to leave the campus in October after concerns about shortages of food and working conditions related to Covid. 

Additionally, violent protests broke out in November after “new-hired staff” claimed management did not uphold their promises. “Workers clashed with security officers, before the company eventually offered them cash to quit and leave the site,” per CNN.