In the bustling industrial hub of Sriperumbudur, near Chennai, job seekers gather outside the Foxconn factory, hoping for a chance to work on the iPhones that connect the world. However, behind the scenes, a storm is brewing. The women’s wing of Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has called for an investigation into Foxconn’s hiring practices, specifically the exclusion of married women from assembly line positions.
Vanathi Srinivasan, the national president of the BJP’s women’s wing, wrote a compelling letter to the National Commission for Women, urging a thorough probe to protect the rights of female employees at Foxconn. “It is imperative to conduct a thorough investigation into these claims and ensure that the rights of women employees at Foxconn Hon Hai are protected,” she asserted in her letter, which was publicly posted on the social media platform X.
Rekha Sharma, chairperson of the National Commission for Women, responded on X, stating, “we are doing the needful,” though she did not provide further details. The commission, with its constitutional powers to investigate and summon individuals, is now at the forefront of this unfolding issue.
A Reuters investigation revealed that Foxconn systematically excludes married women from jobs at its main iPhone assembly plant in India, citing family responsibilities, pregnancy, and higher absenteeism as reasons. This revelation has ignited debates across media platforms and prompted swift responses from various stakeholders.
Srinivasan’s letter labeled the hiring practices as a “grave issue” and highlighted additional concerns, including restrictions on restroom use during working hours and stringent leave policies for hostel residents. The BJP’s women’s wing is determined to bring these discriminatory practices to light and ensure justice for the affected women.
Earlier this week, the Labour Ministry under Modi’s administration requested a detailed report from Tamil Nadu’s Labour Department. Both Apple and Foxconn have acknowledged lapses in hiring practices in the past but have yet to address the incidents reported for 2023 and 2024.
Apple stated that it had taken action in 2022, conducting monthly audits to uphold its standards. Foxconn, on the other hand, vehemently denied any allegations of employment discrimination based on marital status, gender, religion, or other factors.
The situation at Foxconn’s iPhone plant highlights the challenges of maintaining global standards of inclusion while navigating the complexities of a conservative society. Prime Minister Modi has advocated for removing barriers that prevent Indian women from joining the workforce, but discriminatory practices like those at Foxconn threaten to undermine these efforts.
As this story continues to develop, the spotlight remains on Foxconn and its hiring practices, with many awaiting the outcomes of the proposed investigations and the actions of the involved parties.
