Apple supplier replace 60,000 workers with robots

60,000 workers at Apple supplier Foxconn have been replaced with robots, The Independent says, citing reports.

The figure comes from a local government official, who said employee numbers at one of Foxconn's factories in Kunshan, near Shanghai, have been drastically slashed in recent months.

Foxconn is headquartered in Taiwan, but has 12 factories in China, where it produces popular devices like the iPhone and iPad, along with a number of others.

The official told the South China Morning Post: "The Foxconn factory has reduced its employee strength from 110,000 to 50,000, thanks to the introduction of robots. It has tasted success in reduction of labour costs."

"More companies are likely to follow suit," the official added.

While the number of workers displaced by robots is huge, Foxconn denies that the change will result in long-term job losses.