Consumer electronics company Foxconn is doubling the size of its manpower in Zhengzhou, China. Is the hiring spree due to the production of the iPhone 5?

Foxconn is looking to add an additional 100,000 employees in its current manpower. Foxconn is the company that assembles iPhone and iPad for the tech giant Apple, Inc. (NYSE:AAPL). It seems that the hiring is due to the desire of the company to increase the production of Apple devices, especially the iPhone.

The rumor mill for iPhone continues. There were unconfirmed reports that the next generation of iPhone or the iPhone 5 will be launched this summer. Apple-centric tech news website 9 to 5 Mac got a tip from a Foxconn employee saying that the iPhone 5 is now ready for production. Moreover, sample units are already made for testing.

According to the report, the new iPhone will be sporting 4-inch screen display. However, the prototypes were said to be not the final versions of the device. However, there is loophole in this report. If Foxconn is prepping for iPhone 5 and aiming for mass production in the coming months, it is very unlikely that they will meet the deadline for the summer release. Nevertheless, people can expect more rumors to come up as the impending launch of the device approaches.

Thousands of hopefuls lined up for hours outside the recruitment agency of Foxconn for the chance to be one of the company's employees. Applicants were undeterred despite reports of unsafe working conditions in Foxconn. The company is quite known for unfavorable working conditions that pushed workers to despair and some have committed suicide inside the workplace.

A lot of people would like to receive the basic weekly salary of 1650 Yuan ($201) that increases to 2400 - 3200 Yuan ($379-$506) after their appraisal and do enjoy living accommodations within the dorms offered by Foxconn to its employees.