Foxconn Refuses To Employ Married Women At Chennai iPhone Plant? Company Responds; Ministry Seeks Report

In a bold claim against Foxconn's organizational policy, news agency Reuters recently reported that the key manufacturer of Apple devices has adopted hiring practices that prefer exclusion of married women from the workforce at its Sriperumbudur iPhone assembly plant in Tamil Nadu. Family responsibilities and usage of traditional jewellery by the married Hindu women have been cited as the primary reason behind the decision.

However, in an informal note, the Apple iPhone maker informed the government that 25 percent of its new hires are married women,. Furthermore, the company also claimed that they have about 70 percent women and 30 percent men working at the Tamil Nadu plant.

As per reports, the implementation of the exclusionary policy has been confirmed by various sources within Foxconn and its associated recruitment agencies.

Foxconn row over not hiring married women: What are the concerns?

Besides highlighting married women's added family responsibilities as a reason, concerns were also raised regarding married Hindu women wearing traditional jewelry including metal toe rings and necklaces as it reportedly caused significant hindrances with the manufacturing process owing to electrostatic discharge and security issues like theft.

In light of the implementation of the anti-married women policy by the company, certain agencies have now designed ways to assist candidates in concealing marital status in a bid to strengthen the odds of getting a job.

Back in 2022, a similar issue was highlighted involving allegations of discriminatory practices against both Apple and Foxconn. The tech giant then took accountability of their shortcomings in hiring processes and implemented necessary actions.

Foxconn's response: 25 percent of new hires are married women

As several reports surfaced accusing Foxconn of not hitting married women, the Apple iPhone maker in an informal note informed the government that 25 percent of its new hires are married women and it falls under the safety protocol for all the employees to not wear metal irrespective of gender or religion.

In an informal note shared with the government after reports suggested it is not hiring married women, Foxconn stated that such stipulations are not part of its policy and these claims may have been made by those individuals who were not hired, sources said.

No married woman at Foxconn plant: Labour ministry seeks report

Taking cognisance of the widely circulated media reports, the Labour Ministry on Wednesday has requested a detailed report from the Labour Department of the Tamil Nadu Government.

"Section 5 of the Equal Remuneration Act, 1976 clearly stipulates that no discrimination to be made while recruiting men and women workers. As the State Government is the appropriate authority for the enforcement and administration of the provisions of this Act, hence the report has been sought from the State Government," the ministry said in a notification issued on Wednesday.

“As the state government is the appropriate authority for the enforcement and administration of the provisions of this Act, hence the report has been sought from the state government,” the ministry added.