On 26th June, 2024, the Ministry of Labour and Employment requested a detailed report from the Labour Department of the Tamil Nadu Government on the basis of reports claiming that married women are not being allowed to work at Foxconn India Apple iPhone plant.
The Ministry cited Section 5 of the Equal Remuneration Act, 1976 and stated that no discrimination is to be made while recruiting men and women workers. Further added, “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.” Meanwhile, the office of Regional Chief Labour Commissioner has also directed Foxconn to provide, “factual report.”
In response, Foxconn stated that it, “vigorously refutes allegations of employment discrimination based on marital status, gender, religion or any other form.”
Apple also added that it practices the, “highest supply chain standards in the industry,” further added, “When concerns about hiring practices were first raised in
2022 we immediately took action and worked with our supplier to conduct
monthly audits to identify issues and ensure that our high standards are
upheld. All of our suppliers in India hire married women, including Foxconn.”
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Foxconn also stated almost 25 per cent of the women they hired were women in the latest recruit of employees without providing specifications. Sources indicated that Foxconn has reached out to the government to clarify its stance in conversation with PTI.
One source also stated, “Foxconn had clarified that 25 per cent of the latest hires are married women. This would mean nearly one-third of the total women are married. This ratio compares favourably to any factory in this sector currently operating in India.”
“The Foxconn factory is said to employ 70 per cent women and 30 per cent men and the Tamil Nadu plant is the largest factory for women employment in the country with the total employment having touched 45,000 workers during peak periods,” they added.
