According to The Economic Times, Apple has directly employed more than 150,000 individuals since joining India’s Production Linked Incentive (PLI) scheme for smartphones in August 2021. This achievement has positioned the tech giant as the largest creator of blue-collar jobs in the country. A noteworthy aspect of this employment is that a significant number of these individuals are first-time entrants into the workforce, falling within the age range of 19 to 24 years. Furthermore, the PLI scheme has indirectly generated an estimated 300,000 jobs through the companies benefiting from it.
Apple’s Direct Workforce and Indirect Job Creation
Apple’s direct workforce in India currently consists of nearly 3,000 employees. In addition, the development of iOS apps by Apple supports over one million jobs. An Apple official shared that overall, the Apple ecosystem has likely created over 400,000 jobs, both directly and indirectly, in the past 32 months. These figures highlight the substantial employment impact of Apple’s operations in the country.
Apple’s Efforts in India and Partnerships
Apple has been intensifying its efforts in India, particularly after facing challenges in China. The company has been collaborating closely with suppliers such as Foxconn, Wistron, and Pegatron to enhance manufacturing capabilities in India, which is the world’s second-largest smartphone market. These partnerships have resulted in over 77,000 direct jobs across various Indian states. Foxconn leads the pack with 41,000 jobs created, followed by Wistron with 27,300 jobs and Pegatron with 9,200 jobs.
Other Contributors to Job Creation
Apart from the three main contract manufacturers, Tata Electronics and Salcomp Technologies have also made significant contributions to job creation in India. These companies are involved in the production of enclosures, power adapters, cables, and batteries for iPhones.
Apple’s Production Figures and Future Employment
In February, Apple’s production figures for FY24 surpassed ₹1 lakh crore, significantly exceeding the PLI targets. This accomplishment solidifies the company’s position as a top phone manufacturer in India. Looking ahead, Apple’s iPhone factories are expected to hire over 10,000 employees in the coming months to meet the demands of peak production from June to September.