Original device manufacturer Foxconn has reportedly put a hold on hiring new workers after Apple (AAPL), its largest client, cut iPhone 5 production. The Financial Times relayed the report on Wednesday, citing statements made in internal notices circulated at Foxconn. “Currently, none of the plants in mainland China have hiring plans,” a Foxconn spokesperson told FT, and hiring will reportedly be on hold until “at least the end of March.” It is unclear if the reduced iPhone 5 orders were planned or if production was trimmed recently in response to declining demand.
UPDATE: Bloomberg spoke to Foxconn spokesman Brian Liu, who said that the hiring freeze had nothing to do with iPhone 5 production. Instead, he says the hold was put in place because more workers returned from the Chinese New Year break than expected.
