Rekha Sharma, the chairperson of the NCW (National Commission for Women), said the Commission is taking necessary actions on Apple supplier Foxconn that rejected married women from iPhone assembly jobs in India.
The development follows a Reuters news report that said Foxconn, the leading electronics maker, is rejecting married women from iPhone assembly jobs in India. Foxconn has several manufacturing plants across the country.
Rekha Sharma has assured that she will support the demand from the women’s wing of ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) for an investigation on the job issue.
Vanathi Srinivasan, the national president of BJP’s women’s wing, addressed a letter to the Commission, urging a thorough investigation to ensure the protection of women employees’ rights at Foxconn Hon Hai. The letter, which was posted on social media platform X, emphasized the need for an inquiry into these allegations.
The NCW holds the authority to investigate issues related to women’s safeguards under the Constitution and other laws, with powers akin to a civil court to summon individuals.
A recent Reuters investigation revealed that Foxconn systematically excluded married women from jobs at its main iPhone plant near Chennai, Tamil Nadu, citing reasons such as family responsibilities, pregnancy, and higher absenteeism. Hiring agents and HR sources from Foxconn corroborated these claims.
The revelations have spurred debates across TV channels and newspaper editorials. In her letter, Vanathi Srinivasan described Foxconn’s hiring practices as a “grave issue” and noted reports that women employees at Foxconn are not allowed to use the washroom during working hours and those in hostels are denied leave.
Earlier this week, labor ministry requested a detailed report from Tamil Nadu’s Labour Department regarding the issue. In response to Reuters’ questions, Apple and Foxconn acknowledged lapses in hiring practices in 2022 and stated that they had addressed the issues. However, discriminatory practices reportedly persisted in 2023 and 2024, which the companies did not comment on.
Apple stated that it took immediate action in 2022 when concerns were first raised, conducting monthly audits to uphold high standards. Apple asserted that all its suppliers, including Foxconn, hire married women. Foxconn denied allegations of employment discrimination based on marital status, gender, religion, or any other form.
The controversy highlights the challenges Apple and Foxconn face in maintaining global standards of inclusion while expanding their supply chains in India. India’s Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who retained his position for the third-term in the recent election, has previously advocated for the removal of societal barriers preventing women from securing employment. However, the alleged discrimination against married women at Foxconn’s plant threatens to undermine these efforts.