A recruiter working at a Foxconn factory in China told Japanese TV Tokyo’s World Business Satellite programme to expect the next generation of iPhone in June.
As pointed out by Apple Insider, when asked how many people the factory is going to hire, the Foxconn recruiter said: "We’re looking for 18,000 employees… for the fifth-generation phone."
When asked if he meant the iPhone 5, the recruiter replied: "It will come out in June." The naming of the next iPhone, actually the sixth generation of the handset following the iPhone 4S, is likely to drop numbering altogether to bring it into line with the iPad.
As Apple is usually tightlipped about product launches the veracity of the claim is unlikely to be confirmed until an official announcement is made.
Foxconn’s relationship with Apple has come under renewed scrutiny in recent months after radio show This American Life aired a documentary item condemning working conditions at a factory. The report was later revealed to be littered with factual inaccuracies and fabrications but not before an onilne petition gathered thousands of signatures demanding improved conditions for workers.
Apple itself is about to draw criticism from workers in its own stores after changes in working conditions were announced that will see minimum commitment increase from 16 to 24 and full-time up to 40 hours a week. Full-time staff will have to work two of three days from Friday to Sunday to meet consumer demand. Apple Store news website ifoAppleStore.com reported that the new arrangements will come into effect from 15 April.
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