Trade Unions Probe Foxconn India's Hiring Policies After Discrimination Claims

Employee unions at Foxconn India's Apple iPhone manufacturing unit are gathering information on recruitment practices following media reports that married women were not being hired by the Taiwan-based company. The unions plan to decide their next steps after reviewing the recruitment process.

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"We are collecting the details right now. We will study the matter first, like, recruitment exercise and then decide our next action plan," a union source stated.

Union Ministry Seeks Report

The Union Ministry of Labour and Employment has requested a detailed report from the Tamil Nadu labour department. This follows allegations that Foxconn was not hiring married women at its large facility near Chennai.

An official from a manpower agency in Sriperumbudur, which supplies employees to Foxconn India, claimed he had not encountered any such incidents. "We are recruiting candidates for them for Foxconn. We have not come across such allegations. We have selected both men and women irrespective of their marital status. If they are above 18 years and meet the eligibility criteria we consider their application. In the past, we have selected both married men and women," he said on condition of anonymity.

Previous Protests

In 2021, hundreds of women protested on the busy Chennai-Bengaluru highway after about 250 of their colleagues fell ill from consuming food provided by the company.

According to Bharat FIH's website, a Foxconn Technology Group company, they have facilities in Sriperumbudur, Sri City, Tada, and research and development units in Bengaluru and Chennai. The company employs 25,000 people, with 85% being women.

"By introducing women to various shop floor operations, we have been successful in creating new economic opportunities in the region with our presence. Our aim is to work towards a world in which a diverse and inclusive manufacturing sector offers equitable opportunities and rewarding careers for all," states the website.

An email seeking details on the matter did not elicit an immediate response from Foxconn.