The regional labor commissioner in Chennai has dismissed claims of discrimination against married women in the hiring process at Foxconn's Chennai iPhone factory. The commissioner stated that there is no evidence supporting claims of discrimination against married women in the recruitment and employment processes. The investigation came after an investigative report revealed that Foxconn systematically excluded married women from assembly jobs at its main iPhone plant in India.
Foxconn HR
sources and third-party hiring agents cited family duties, pregnancy, and
higher absenteeism as reasons for not hiring married women. Foxconn countered
these allegations by claiming that 25% of its recent hires are married women.
The plant employs about 70% women, making it the largest female employer in
India's manufacturing sector. The ministry is awaiting the state government's
response before firming up its observations on the matter for submission to the
National Human Rights Commission.