Apple’s major Chinese suppliers are competing for Vietnamese workers as they seek to expand operations outside their country.
Young Liu, chairman of Foxconn’s flagship unit Hon Hai Precision Industry Co., told reporters in Taipei Saturday that his firm’s Chinese competitors have set up operations near its facilities in Vietnam just to poach workers.
“The move should not be condoned,” he said without naming any companies.
In recent years Foxconn’s competitors like Luxshare, GoerTek and BYD have flocked to Vietnam to avoid U.S. tariffs.
Foxconn employs around 60,000 workers in Vietnam, which is its largest manufacturing base outside China.
Liu said Foxconn would “significantly” increase the numbers of employees in Vietnam over the next one to two years.
Earlier reports said Apple would mass produce its iPads for the first time in Vietnam as part of efforts to diversify its supply chain and reduce dependence on China.