Foxconn halts recruitment as focus shifts to automation

Foxconn Technology Group, the electronics manufacturing giant, has halted recruitment at one of its key plants in Shenzhen, due to plans to further automate its production processes, and a higher-than-expected return rate of workers after Spring Festival.

Liu Kun, a spokesman for the company, which makes various kinds of Apple products including the iPhone and iPad, said it had been on a steady course for a while to replace manpower with robotic systems.

"We have canceled hiring entry-level workers after Spring Festival, a decision that is partly associated with our efforts in production automation."