The Labour Ministry on Wednesday famous that it has taken notice of varied media stories claiming that married girls should not being allowed to work at Foxconn India Apple iPhone plant in Tamil Nadu. In gentle of those stories, the Ministry has requested an in depth report from the Labour Division of the Tamil Nadu Authorities.
“Part 5 of the Equal Remuneration Act, 1976 clearly stipulates that no discrimination to be made whereas recruiting women and men employees. Because the State Authorities is the suitable authority for the enforcement and administration of the provisions of this Act, therefore the report has been sought from the State Authorities,” the ministry stated in a notification issued on Wednesday.
“Because the state authorities is the suitable authority for the enforcement and administration of the provisions of this Act, therefore the report has been sought from the state authorities,” the ministry added.
On Tuesday, Reuters reported that Foxconn, which is a key producer of Apple gadgets, has hiring practices the place it avoids giving jobs to sure employees at its Sriperumbudur iPhone meeting plant in Tamil Nadu. Reuters claimed that Foxconn systematically excludes married girls from its workforce, citing household tasks and conventional jewelry as hindrances to their employment.
The exclusionary coverage was confirmed by numerous sources inside Foxconn and its related recruitment businesses. The issues raised had been concerning conventional jewellery worn by married Hindu girls, together with metallic toe rings and necklaces. The explanations cited for this coverage had been the potential interference with the manufacturing course of as a result of electrostatic discharge and safety points associated to theft, as reported by Reuters.
Whereas some married girls have been employed by Foxconn throughout peak manufacturing intervals, it is very important notice that these cases are exceptions reasonably than the norm, as highlighted within the report.
Sure businesses have gone so far as aiding candidates in concealing their marital standing to extend their possibilities of employment. Following allegations of discriminatory practices, each Apple and Foxconn admitted to shortcomings of their hiring processes in 2022 and applied corrective actions. Nonetheless, a Reuters investigation revealed that discriminatory practices continued into 2023 and 2024.
Regardless of Indian legal guidelines not explicitly prohibiting discrimination primarily based on marital standing, each Apple and Foxconn’s codes of conduct forbid such practices. Apple asserted that it maintains “the best provide chain requirements within the trade” and famous that Foxconn does make use of some married girls in India.
