Why iPhone’s India Factory Not Hiring Married Women?
International News Agency - Reuters has accused Apple’s iPhone manufacturer Foxconn of not hiring married Indian women at its Sriperumbudur plant near Chennai. Watch this video to know why.
Foxconn, the well-known multinational electronics manufacturer from Taiwan, has recently come under scrutiny for allegedly excluding married women from job opportunities at its Sriperumbudur plant near Chennai, Tamil Nadu. This plant, which has been assembling Apple products since 2017, saw a significant expansion in 2023 when it started fully assembling all models of the iPhone 15 and iPhone 15 Plus.
The international news agency Reuters conducted an investigation and reported that Foxconn India seems to be favoring unmarried women for its job openings. The company allegedly believes that married Indian women have more family responsibilities, which could affect their work performance and availability.
Reuters spoke with several Foxconn India employees and recruitment agencies to gather information. They reported the case of two sisters, Parvathi and Janaki, who were turned away at the plant's main gate simply because they were married. A former HR executive, S. Paul, who left Foxconn in August 2023, confirmed that the company’s executives had communicated these recruitment preferences to Indian recruitment agencies, citing “cultural issues” and societal pressures as reasons.
Seventeen employees, twelve recruiting agencies, and four current HR executives at Foxconn India corroborated Paul’s statements, suggesting that the company fears married women may take more leaves due to family duties, including planning and having babies. Additionally, some employees mentioned that the jewellery worn by married Hindu women could interfere with production processes.
Interestingly, Foxconn India does hire married women during high-production periods when there is a labor shortage. In some cases, recruitment companies have even helped female candidates hide their marital status to secure jobs.
In response to these allegations, Foxconn India issued a statement denying any discriminatory practices. The company claimed that it does not discriminate based on marital status and stated that 25% of women hired in the recent recruitment drive were married. Despite Foxconn's denial, the Indian Ministry of Labour & Employment emphasized that the law prohibits any discrimination based on gender or marital status in employment.
The Indian government has requested a detailed report from the Tamil Nadu state government on this matter. Meanwhile, Apple and the Tamil Nadu state government have not yet made any statements regarding the issue.
This controversy raises important questions about employment practices and gender discrimination. Can an international company like Foxconn truly discriminate against married Indian women? Share your thoughts in the comments.
